These instructions are a quick start procedure for
using AutoCad. You can draw anything 2D with these basic instructions.
Don't bother learning AutoCad 3D unless someone is paying you to learn.
You can illustrate any 3D object with a few 2D drawings. On this page you
can learn all of the basics without going to drafting class. Note: AutoCad
help is very poor for the beginner. It is very difficult to find anything
in AutoCad
unless you know the exact name of the command.
I am using an older version of AutoCad LT 2000. AutoCad doesn't change
much so the instructions below should still work.
After you start up AutoCad, you should a have a
blank screen. At the bottom are command lines. You can enter a
command or click on the buttons around the blank drawing screen.
Straight Lines
Command: LINE
Specify first point:
(left click anywhere on blank screen)
Specify next point: @4<90
(This draws a line 4 inches vertically straight up at 90 degrees)
Specify next point: @10<180
(This draws another line 10 inches horizontally)
(If you are drawing a straight line with the
mouse, you can press keyboard F8 to turn <ortho on>)
(If you want to connect a new line to the end of an existing
line type the following.)
Specify next point: ENDPOINT
(If you want to connect to the midpoint of a line
type the following..)
Specify next point: MIDPOINT
(If you want to connect to the center of a circle
type the following..)
Specify next point: CENTER
(If you want to connect to the edge of a circle
type the following..)
Specify next point: QUAD
Add Text to Drawing
Command: STYLE(Choose a
font, I like romans)
Command: TEXT
Specify start point: (Left click a point on
the drawing screen)
Specify height: 1 (1 inch is a
typical height for text)
Enter Text: Front View of Machine
(Enter your desired text)
Moving Lines or Text
Command: MOVE
Select object:
(Left Click on all lines and shapes you want to move.)
(You can select a group of lines by clicking on
blank space and creating a window. If you form the window from left to
right, you must get the entire object in the window. If you form the
window from right to left, you only need a small piece of the object you want to
move.)
Specify base point:
(Click any point in space. You can use endpoint, center, or quad.)
Stretch(Very useful for
stretching lines and boxes.)
Command: STRETCH
Select objects: (Left click a point in
space just to the right of the object you want to stretch.)
Specify opposite corner: (Left click a
point just above and half way up the object you want to stretch.)
Specify base point: (Left click
anywhere in space. -Or- Type in endpoint.)
Specify second point: (Left click the
destination of stretch.)
Other useful commands
Command: MIRROR (Draws a duplicate mirror
image of original shape.)
Command: ARRAY (Draws an X by Y array of
duplicate shapes.)
Command: CIRCLE
Command: ARC(Draw
an Arc by left clicking three point.)
Command: PLINE (Draws very thick lines.)
Command: COPY(Duplicates
anything.)
Command: DIM
(Add horizontal <HOR> and vertical <VER> dimensions.)
Command: _ddedit (Edit or
change text.)
Command: SCALE
Saving a drawing
<File> <Save as> (You
should save your drawings as a .dxf, that way you can email drawings to anyone
and they can open them without AutoCad. Newer versions of AutoCad can save
drawings to a .pdf file)
These are the basic commands. It's really all
I ever use. If you want more detail on these commands, just use AutoCad
help.
If you want to make custom parts for your process or
machinery. Use Emachine Shop. You just download the free
software, draw the part, and they send it to you in three weeks. Its is
very low cost. You can import basic parts from .dxf files into their
software.
If you need parts reverse engineered, call Scott
Anderson at Reverse Engineering (608) 897-9046. He will be happy to
take your part, copy it and send you a new one. He will even machine your
part out of something stronger.
