AutoCAD is a widely used CAD software for 2D and 3D design, developed by Autodesk since 1982, facilitating various engineering and architectural disciplines. The document outlines essential features and commands within the software, including toolbars, coordinate systems, and specific drawing commands. It also details important functions and shortcuts to aid users in creating and editing designs efficiently.

1. AUTOCAD
ACT AN ACADEMY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
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2. WHAT IS AUTOCAD ?

AutoCAD is a CAD (Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting) software
application for 2D and 3D design and drafting. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First
released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal
computers.

AutoCAD is a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program used by just about every Engineering and
Design office in the world. Although there are alternative CAD packages, AutoCAD is by far the
most widely used system. Autodesk's AutoCAD is the industry leader in CAD packages. Used by
Civil Engineers, Architects, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, Aeronautical Engineers plus
many other disciplines.
There have been several versions of Autocad over the years, with each new version introducing
new and more powerful features than its predecessor
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3. WHAT IS CAD?

Computer aided design is a creative design process that is based on a computer system. It can
be either hardware or software based; however, it is usually a software based program that is
used for design purposes. This design process uses computer technology to assist certain types
of professionals in the design and drawing of technical drawings. Computer aided design is also
referred to as CAD or Computer aided drafting.
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4. AUTOCAD WINDOW
Drawing Name
Standard Toolbar
Cursor
Pull-down Menu
Headings
Coordinate
Display
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Object Properties Toolbar
Optional Toolbar
Locations
Status Line
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5. Drawing Area

The large area in the center of the screen.

This is where you draw.

The size can be changed at any time.
Model

Switches your drawing between paper
space and model space.
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6. CrossHairs/ Cursor

The movement is controlled by the
movement of the pointing device (mouse).

Use to locate points, make selections and
draw objects.
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7. Command Line

The three lines at the bottom of the screen.

This is where you enter commands and
AutoCAD will prompt you to input
information.

The number of lines visible can be
changed.
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8. Status Bar

Displays your content settings

The settings can be turned on/off by clicking on the word (SNAP, GRID, ORTHO, etc) or by
pressing the function keys associated with each.
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9. 2. Introducing Tool Bars
You can see there is a number of different tool bars on the screen.
The main tool bar which is located under the Menu bar. These are the most frequently used tool bars. If you
place your mouse on it and right click, you will get a list of other tool bars that you may want to display (by
scrolling down and clicking on them).
This tool bar offers
different ways of
This tool bar offers
editing your drawing(s).
different shapes
*Remember the name of the command that pops up in
the help balloon by putting your mouse over each
button.
and objects to
draw. You can
see what they do
If you remember the command, you can later type it in
the command line and achieve the same result.
by putting your
mouse on each one
and waiting until
a balloon with
description pops up.
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10. Toolbars
There are many toolbars available in AutoCAD. Go to View > Toolbars from the drop down menu
to see them all. For now make sure that the following toolbars are checked:
Draw - Contains AutoCADs most common drawing tools
Modify - Contains all of the common editing commands such as erase, copy etc.
Object Properties - Contains 'layer' information as well as object colours and line style options.
Standard Toolbar - Contains open & save options as well as zoom & pan options.
Object Snap - AutoCAD's intelligent drawing aid - joins lines at specific points.
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11. CAD Coordinate System

Any point in CAD can be located precisely using X, Y and Z coordinates.

The Cartesian coordinate system has three axes: X, Y, and Z that intersect at the origin (0,0,0).

Coordinate values are always expressed as: (X, Y, Z)
Coordinates in CAD:
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ANGLES in CAD:
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12. AutoCAD Coordinates System
 There is only 3 AutoCAD coordinates system
you should know.

Absolute coordinates

Relative coordinates

Polar coordinates.
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13. Absolute Coordinates
 All input points specify in your drawing using standard Cartesian coordinates x and y.
Using absolute coordinate, points entered by typing x,y [Enter]
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14. Relative Coordinates
 After first points entered, your next points can be entered by specifying the next
coordinate compare/relative from the first points. The relative coordinate started with
symbol “@” tell AutoCAD it was a relative coordinates. Using relative coordinate, points
entered by typing @x,y [Enter]
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15. Polar Coordinates
 Polar coordinates used when you need to draw the next points at specify angle. Polar
coordinates system in AutoCAD specifies distance length at which angle. Using polar
coordinate, points entered by typing @distance<angle [Enter]
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16. Function Keys

F1
HELP

F2


F7
GRID
FLIPSCREEN

F8
ORTHO
F3
OSNAP

F9
SNAP

F4
TABLET

F10
POLAR

F5
ISOPLANE

F11
OTRACK

F6
COORDINATE DISPLAY
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17. Special Function Keys

ESC- Cancels the current command,
menu, or dialog box.

ENTER- Ends a command; or will repeat
the previous command if the command
line is blank

SPACE BAR- Same as the end key
except when entering text.
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18. Coordinate Display (F6)

In the ABSOLUTE mode: Displays the location of the crosshairs/ cursor in reference
to the origin. The first number represents the horizontal (x axis) and the second
number represents the vertical (y axis).

In RELATIVE POLAR mode: displays the distance and angle of the cursor from the
last point entered.
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19. SNAP (F9)

Increment Snap controls the movement of the cursor. If it is off the cursor will move
smoothly. If it is ON, the cursor will jump in an incremental movement. The increment
spacing can be changed, at any time using TOOLS/DRAFTING SETTINGS. The
default spacing is .250
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20. GRID (F7)

The grid is merely a visual “drawing aid”. The default spacing is 1 unit. You may
change the grid spacing at any time using: TOOLS/DRAFTING SETTINGS.
ORTHO (F8)

When ORTHO is ON, the cursor movement is restricted to horizontal or vertical.
When ORTHO is OFF, the cursor is free to move.
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21. POLAR (F10)

POLAR TRACKING creates “alignment paths” at specified angles.
OSNAP (F3)

RUNNING OBJECT SNAP- specific object snaps can be set to stay active until you
turn them off.
OTRACK (F11)

OBJECT SNAP TRACKING creates “alignment paths” at precise positions using
object snap locations.
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22. Important commands which used for making drawings
1.Line – This command is used to draw the line, you can choose the command from your toolbar or write L at
command prompt
LINETYPE – This option is basically used to change the type of line you can change your continuous
line in to center, dashed zigzag and many other types. For this click on the line or any other object you
want to change than select the line type control from properties toolbar as you click on this option all the
line type will show click on the line which you want selected line will change in to that.
LINEWEIGHT – This option is use to change thickness of line this change will show only in Printing not
on computer Click on the line or any other object you want to change than select the line weight Control
from properties toolbar as you click this option all weights will show click on the thickness you want
thickness of selected line will change.
COLORCONTROL – This option is use to change color of any object click on the line or any other
object you want to change than select the color control from properties toolbar as you click this option
all colors will show click on the color you want color of selected object will change.
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23. Important commands which used for making drawings
2.Circle – This command is used to draw the circle, you can choose the command from your toolbar or write C
at command prompt.
3. Polygon – This command is used to draw the figure of three sides or more than three sides, you can
choose the command from your toolbar or write Pol at command prompt.
4.Rectangle – This command is used to draw the rectangle, you can choose the command from your toolbar
or you can write Rec at command prompt
5.Arc – This command is used to draw the arc, you can choose the command directly from your toolbar or
write A at command prompt
6.Xline – This command is used to draw the construction line, you can choose the command from your toolbar
or write XL at command prompt
7. Erase- This command is used to draw erase the objects, you can choose the command from your toolbar or
can E at command prompt
8. Copy - This command is used to copy the objects, you can choose the command from your toolbar or write
Cp at command prompt
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24. Important commands which used for making drawings
9. Move- This command is used to move the objects, you can choose the command from your toolbar or write
M at command prompt
10. Mirror-this command is used to mirror the objects you can choose the command from your toolbar or write
Mi at command prompt
11. Rotate- this command is used to rotate the objects you can choose the command from your toolbar or
write Ro at command prompt
12. Offset- this command is used to offset the objects you can choose the command from your toolbar or write
O at command prompt
13. Array- this command is used to array the objects you can choose the command from your toolbar or write
Ar at command prompt
14. Scale- this command is use to scale the drawing you can choose the command from your toolbar or write
Sc at command prompt.
15. Stretch- this command is use to stretch the drawing you can choose the command from your toolbar or
write Stretch at command prompt
16. Trim- this command is use to trim the two corners you can choose the command from your toolbar or write
Tr at command prompt.
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25. Important commands which used for making drawings
17. Extend- this command is use to extend the line you can choose the command from your toolbar or write
Ex at command prompt.
18. Fillet- this command is use join the two corners with the help of an arc you can choose the command from
your toolbar or write F at command prompt.
19. Chamfer- this command is use to chamfer the two corners you can choose the command from your
toolbar or write Cha at command prompt.
20. Explode - this command is use to explode the single identity pf an object. You can explode hatch,
dimensions and blocks any thing which is in group form choose the command from your toolbar or write
Explode at command prompt.
21. Break - this command is use to break the line or circle between the two points choose the command from
your toolbar or write Br at command prompt.
22. Polyline - this command is use to draw the line composed of one or more connected line segments or
circular arcs treated as a single object. Choose the command from your toolbar or write Pl at command
prompt.
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26. Important commands which used for making drawings
23. Hatch - this command is use to hatch the close figure. Choose the command from your toolbar or write H
at command prompt.
24. Dtext - this command is use to write the text. Write DT at command prompt.
25. Mtext - this command is use to write the multi line text. Choose the command from your toolbar or write
MT at command prompt.
26. Edit text - this command is use to edit the text you can edit or change both kind of text DT and MT, write
Ed at command prompt.
27. Make Block - this command is use to make the block of some single objects you can use these block in
your drawing any time choose the command from your toolbar or write Block at command prompt.
28. Insert Block - This command is use to insert the block in your drawing choose the command from your
toolbar or write Insert at command prompt.
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27. Important commands which used for making drawings
29. Dimension - Now we will study about dimension of the drawing, it is very important that every drawing
should have dimensions so that you can get information about the sizes of drawing. You can choose
dimension from Dimension Toolbar let us study one by one:
Linear dimension-This command is used for the dimensions of straight lines.
Angular dimension- This command is used for the dimensions of angles between two lines or the
angle of arcs and circles.
Radius Dimension - This command is used to give the radius of the circles and arc.
Diameter Dimension - this option is used to give the diameter of the circles and arc.
Centre mark - This command is used to mark the centre of the circles and arc.
Quick leader - This command is used to specify the notes for anything, click on this sign
Dimension style – you can change dimension style of dimensions, you can give more than one style to
your dimensions for this you have to click on Format than choose dimension style or you can just write
Dimstyle at command prompt a box will appear, you can create new styles, sets the current style,
modifies styles, sets overrides on the current style
Current Dim style – it Display the current dimension style. AutoCAD assigns this style to all
dimensions. If you do not change the current style, AutoCAD assigns the default STANDARD style to
dimensions.
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28. Important commands which used for making drawings
30. Layer – This command is very useful. We have do lot of work in one drawing for e.g. if make a plan for the
house than we have to give dimensions, furniture position, electrical lining, plumbing and many more we
cannot each every time erase this work for the printout so we do all the work in layers. For each and every
work make different layer. Choose from format – LAYER or you can write Layer on command prompt a box will
appear with all the layer it have if you want to make the new layer than click the right button of your mouse
many options will appear choose New Layer - a box with cursor will appear change the name according to you
requirement. You can also change the color, line type and line weight of your layer from this box.
On- bulb sign is used to make on off the layer; layer will disappear from the screen.
Freeze- sign is used to freeze the layer; layer will disappear from the screen.
Lock- lock sign is used to lock the layer, if the layer is lock than you cannot do any work in it.
By default 0 layer is current that means all the work you done is saved in this layer but if you want to do
dimensions than make dimension layer and set it current. if you want to make the new layer current
click the right button of your mouse many options will appear choose set current. Now if you do not want
this layer to be shown in printing make it freeze.
(P.S. You can operate you layer from layers toolbar also)
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29. Important commands which used for making drawings
31. There are some more commands which are not so important but you must know about them:
a) Distance – this command is used to measure the distance between the two points. Just write Di at
command prompt
Specify first point- click on the first point of line
Specify second point- click on the second point of line
It will display all the information at command prompt.
b) Revision cloud – This command is used to make the cloud like structure in which you can write your
remarks or can highlight the particular area select the command from toolbar or write revcloud at
command prompt.
Revcloud
Minimum arc length: 0.5000 Maximum arc lengths: 0.5000
Specify start point or [Arc length/Object/Style]: click to draw the revision cloud, when the start and end
lines meet, the following message is displayed on the command line. (Revision cloud finished.)
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30. Important commands which used for making drawings
c) Spline – this command is used to measure draw the curve lines select the command from toolbar or write
spline at command prompt.
Spline
Specify first point- click on the first point of line
Specify second point- click on the second point of line
It will display all the information at command prompt.
Specify first point or [Object]: Specify a point
Specify next point: Specify a point Enter points until you have defined the spline curve. After you enter two
points, AutoCAD displays the following prompt:
Specify next point or [Close/Fit Tolerance] : Specify a point, line will complete
d) Point – This command is used to make mark the point select the command from toolbar or write Po at
command prompt.
Po
Specify a point: click where you want to locate the point, from point style menu you can select the type of point
you required, for this click on format than on point style a box will appear with all the points just click the
required one.
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31. Important commands which used for making drawings
c) Spline – this command is used to measure draw the curve lines select the command from toolbar or write
spline at command prompt.
Spline
Specify first point- click on the first point of line
Specify second point- click on the second point of line
It will display all the information at command prompt.
Specify first point or [Object]: Specify a point
Specify next point: Specify a point Enter points until you have defined the spline curve. After you enter two
points, AutoCAD displays the following prompt:
Specify next point or [Close/Fit Tolerance] : Specify a point, line will complete
d) Point – This command is used to make mark the point select the command from toolbar or write Po at
command prompt.
Po
Specify a point: click where you want to locate the point, from point style menu you can select the type of point
you required, for this click on format than on point style a box will appear with all the points just click the
required one.
%%c
for diameter sign
%%d
for degree sign
edit command is used to edit our dimension
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32. Important commands which used for making drawings
e) Ellipse – This command is used to draw the ellipse choose command from toolbar or write El at command
prompt.
EL
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center/Isocircle]: Specify a point or enter the value (@distance
Specify other endpoint of axis: Specify a point or enter the value (@distance
Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: Specify a distance by entering a value or locating a point
Specify rotation around major axis: Specify a point (3), or enter an angle value between 0 and 89.4
(P.S. you can also draw isocircle when click right button your mouse at Snap button setting box will open now
select the isometric option and you will be able to draw isocircle)
f) Divide – This command is used to divide the line in equal parts write Div at command prompt.
Div
Select object to divide: select he object you want to divide
Enter number of segments: Enter a value; object will divide if you not able to see than change the style of
point.
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33. Primitive Solid
SHAPE
COMMAND
DESCRIPTION
BOX
BOX
SPHERE
SPHERE
CYLINDER
CYLINDER
CONE
CONE
WEDGE
WEDGE
Creates a triangular wedge from 2 opposite points.
TORUS
TORUS
Creates a torus (donut shape) based on center point, radius and tube
radius.
Creates a solid box after you provide 2 opposite corners and a height.
Creates a solid sphere from a center point and radius.
Creates a straight cylinder from a center point, radius and height.
Creates a tapered cone from a center point, radius and height.
Draws a solid object with a polygon (3-32 sides) base that rises to a
PYRAMID
POLYSOLID
PYRAMID / PYR central point.
PSOLID
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Draws a solid object with width and height as you would draw a polyline.
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34. Boolean Operations
COMMAND
INPUT
UNION
(Boolean)
UNION / UNI
SUBTRACT
(Boolean)
SUBTRACT / SU
INTERSECT
(Boolean)
INTERSECT / IN
EXTRUDE FACE
SOLIDEDIT
SLICE
SLICE
3D ALIGN
3DALIGN
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DESCRIPTION
Joins two or more solids into creating one based on the total
geometry of all.
Subtracts one or more solids from another creating a solid
based on the remaining geometry.
Creates a single solid from one more solids based on the
intersected geometry.
Allows you to increase the size of a solid by extruding out one
of its faces.
Slices a solid along a cutting plane.
Aligns 2 3D Objects in 3D space.
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35. Shortcut
Draw
Modify
Shortcut
Command
Shortcut
Command
L
LINE
E
ERASE
XL
CONSTURCTION LINE
CO
COPY
PL
POLYLINE
MI
MIRROR
POL
POLYGON
O
OFFSET
REC
RECTANG
AR
ARRAY
A
ARC
M
MOVE
C
CIRCLE
RO
ROTATE
REVCLOUD
REVCLOUD
SC
SCALE
SPL
SPLINE
S
STRETCH
EL
ELLIPSE
TR
TRIM
I
INSERT BLOCK
EX
EXTEND
B
DEFINE BLOCK
BR
BREAK, BREAK AT POINT
W
WRITE BLOCK
J
JOIN
H
HATCHING
CHA
CHAMFER
DT
TEXT (SINGLE LINE)
F
FILLET
T
MTEXT (MULTILINE)
X
EXPLODE
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36. Shortcut
Other Useful Commands
3D Modeling
Shortcut
Command
Shortcut
Command
PE
POLY EDIT
BOX
BOX
OP
OPTION
SPHERE
SPHERE
DI
DIST
CYL
CLYINDER
AREA
AREA
CONE
CONE
MASSPROP
MASSPROP
WE
WEDGE
LTSCALE
LINETYPESCALE
TOR
TORUS
PSLTSCALE
PAPER SPACE LT SCALE
EXT
EXTRUDE
LA
LAYER
REV
REVOLVE
LI
LIST
3D
3D SURFACE
Z
ZOOM
P
PAN
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37. Shortcut
3D Modify
Shortcut
Command
Shortcut
Command
UNI
UNION
ROTATE3D
ROTATE 3D
SU
SUBTRACT
MIRROR3D
MIRROR3D
IN
INTERSECT
AL
ALIGN
SEC
SECTION
3DARRAY
3DARRAY
SL
SLICE
SOLIDEIDT
SOLIDEDIT
INF
INTERFERE
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