Course Title COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Course Code AST 135

Topic Fundamental Commands
Week # 1-2

ILO 2 Name the interface and different functions of software

AutoCAD.

Starting AutoCAD for Windows

If you installed AutoCAD by using the default settings for the location of the
program files, start the program by choosing Start ➢ All Programs ➢ Autodesk ➢
AutoCAD ➢ AutoCAD or by choosing Start ➢ Programs ➢ Autodesk ➢ AutoCAD
LT ➢ AutoCAD LT, depending on the program you’re using. (This command path
might vary depending on the Windows operating system and the scheme you are
using.) Alternatively, you can double-click the AutoCAD icon or the AutoCAD LT
icon on your desktop.

Exploring the user Interface

Like most Windows-based applications, AutoCAD launches inside an

Application window. Serving as a starting point, the Start Tab is the first user
interface (UI) displayed within the Application window, but workspaces will control
the overall composition of your AutoCAD environment from there.

The Create page contains three columns and may include up to four panels.

Get Started Serving as a pseudo File menu, the Get Started panel is focused on
creating new files and browsing for existing files. The Start Drawing tool enables you
to create new drawing files quickly, whereas the other tools let you open existing
drawings and sheet sets, access templates online, and even view a collection of
sample drawings.

Recent Documents AutoCAD keeps a running record of each drawing file you open
and displays the most recent drawings in this panel. You can configure the length of
this recent document history with the OPTIONS command.
Notifications This panel is visible only when there is an issue regarding your current
configuration of AutoCAD or a new announcement from Autodesk. It notifies you of
graphic configuration issues, product updates, webinars, and more.

Connect Autodesk® A360 software is the cloud computing platform integrated into
AutoCAD 2016. The Connect panel consists of cloud services such as stor- age and
rendering, and it provides quick access to the full portfolio of A360 services.

Selecting the Learn page tab at the bottom of the Start Tab, or the page arrow on the
left edge, opens the Learn page shown in Figure. You can access basic information
about AutoCAD from this page.
Introducing Workspaces

This tour of the user interface has so far been limited to the Start Tab that dis-
plays after starting AutoCAD. Opening or creating a drawing will dismiss the Start
Tab interface and load a vast assortment of tools in addition to the drawing you
selected. To load this interface, click the Start Drawing tool on the Create page.

The collection of tools displayed after creating or opening a drawing is called a

workspace, and AutoCAD includes several designed to match the type of work you’re
doing. Most of the book uses the default Drafting & Annotation work- space, but on
other (which focus on 3D) use the available 3D work- spaces. The standard
workspaces found within AutoCAD are as follows:

Drafting & Annotation Utilizing the Ribbon, this workspace (shown in Figure 1.3)
is considered the default AutoCAD workspace. Unless otherwise specified, this is also
the workspace used throughout this book.

3D Basics This workspace provides the core tools needed to get started with 3D
modeling in AutoCAD (for AutoCAD users only—3D features are not included in
AutoCAD LT).

3D Modeling This workspace provides the complete set of 3D modeling tools in

AutoCAD, including materials via the Materials Browser (for AutoCAD users only—
3D features are not included in AutoCAD LT).
Exploring the Drafting & Annotation Workspace

As the default UI configuration for AutoCAD, the Drafting & Annotation work-
space shown in Figure 1.3 serves as the primary workspace throughout this book.
Having a good understanding of this workspace is imperative as you perform the
exercises in the coming chapters. To ensure your success with those exercises, I’ll
start by breaking down what you can expect when using the Drafting & Annotation
workspace. From top to bottom and from left to right, the following elements make up
this workspace:

Application Menu The Application menu contains the tools for opening, sav- ing,
and printing (plotting) your drawings. These options are similar to the File drop-down
menu that has been deprecated since the Ribbon’s introduction in AutoCAD. When
the Application menu is open, the menus for these tools project from the upper-left
corner of the AutoCAD window and cover the drawing area and any open dialog
boxes.

Quick Access toolbar Located to the right of the Application menu, the Quick
Access toolbar provides immediate access to some of the most frequently used
commands to complete tasks such as creating, opening, saving, and plot- ting
drawings. This toolbar is a customizable element of the UI that maintains a consistent
appearance as you interact with your designs, and many AutoCAD users choose to
build on its default task coverage.
Title Bar The title bar is analogous to the title bar in any Windows program. It
contains the program name (AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT) and the title of the current
drawing with its path, provided a drawing other than the default Drawing#.dwg is
open.

The Ribbon Located immediately below the title bar and spanning the entire width of
the Application window, the Ribbon serves as the primary launch pad for nearly every
command used to compose drawings in AutoCAD. Related tasks are found under the
different tabs, which are further segmented into panels containing similar tools. The
“Using the Ribbon” section later in this chapter explains this taxonomy in greater
detail.

InfoCenter To the far right of the title bar is the InfoCenter, containing the Search,
A360, Autodesk Exchange Apps, and Help buttons. You can enter a question in the
field to the left of the Search button to access information from a number of locations
quickly, including the standard AutoCAD help system through the drop-down panel.
The A360 button allows you to sign in with your Autodesk ID and access a wealth of
cloud-based services that integrate with AutoCAD. The Help button is a direct link to
the AutoCAD help system (also accessible by pressing the F1 key).

File tabs A tab for each open drawing (plus the persistent Start Tab) is dis- played at
the top of the drawing area. These tabs provide a visual method to quickly switch
between open drawings or to create new drawings. Should you prefer additional
screen real estate in lieu of this functionality, you can turn off file tabs from the
Interface panel of the View tab on the Ribbon.
Drawing Area and Cursor The blank middle section of the screen is called the
drawing area. This represents a virtually infinite plane. The cursor, or crosshairs as
it’s known in AutoCAD, allows you to navigate the drawing area to precisely
compose your designs.

ViewCube Found in the upper-right corner of the drawing area, the ViewCube is
primarily used for navigating three-dimensional drawings. It provides access to 26
predefined view orientations in addition to the basic ability to pivot a drawing.

In-Canvas Viewport Control Displayed in the upper-left corner of the draw- ing
area, the In-Canvas Viewport Controls provide a quick and convenient way to change
the current view, visual style, or viewport configuration.

Navigation Bar Beneath the ViewCube, you’ll find the Navigation bar, which
provides access to several universal and product-specific navigation tools. These
tools, while tailored to the specific commands in AutoCAD, are designed to mimic
navigation features found in other Autodesk products such as Autodesk® Revit®
software.

UCS Icon The User Coordinate System (UCS) is discussed in Chapter 2, “Learning
Basic Commands to Get Started.” The UCS icon, an essential part of this system, is
found in the lower-left corner of the drawing area and indicates the positive
coordinates for the x-, y-, and z-axes.

Command Line Serving as the primary method for interacting with AutoCAD, the
command-line interface is by default located along the bottom edge of the drawing
area. Similar to a paper roll on a printing calculator, the command-line interface
displays a history of previous actions as well as a summary of the current actions for
which the system seeks your input.

Design FeedWith tools to add comments and images to drawings, the Design Feed
provides a rich tool set to collaborate on drawings with colleagues and external
stakeholders through Autodesk A360. Paired with AutoCAD360, the Design Feed
even allows stakeholders who do not own the desktop version of AutoCAD to view
and contribute to drawings.

Layout tabs Each AutoCAD drawing consists of a model tab and any number of
layout tabs whose names can be customized. As a general rule, the model tab
represents your design, and the layout tabs represent the piece of paper used to
document a design. The Layout Tab interface allows you to switch quickly between
these views of your design.

Status Bar The status bar is aligned to the bottom-right corner of the Application
window. Tools located on the status bar are primarily focused on helping you draw
and on managing the user interface. You’ll probably find yourself using the status bar
quite frequently, so I’ll describe each of its tools in a moment.
AutoCAD Modify Tools

While working with AutoCAD, you'll quickly run into situations that requere you
to use modify tools. As the name suggests, modify tools are used to modify existing
lines and objects.

AutoCAD has a whole range of modify tools; this chapter will explain the most
commonly used.

Offset

Offset (o)
Create a duplicate object parallel with the original object. If this object is a Polyline or
a Circle, the duplicate shape will be transformed inwards or outwards. This option can
be useful to make closed steel profiles.
To offset: First select the offset distance; [enter]; select the original object; specify on
which side you want to offset.
Trim

Trim (tr)
With the trim option objects can be shortened or lengthened with the edges of other
objects. Objects can exactly be fitted between these objects.
To trim an object: Type tr in the command line; optionally select the line(s) you want
to trim (otherwise all objects are used, which is fine in most cases); [enter]; select the
objects to trim.
To trim multiple objects at once you can drag a selection window.
 You might want to take a look at the fence (fe) selection option. This allows you to
quickly select the lines you want to trim, by drawing a line across them. Every line
that is crossed by the line you draw, will be selected and trimmed.

Extend

Extend (ex)
With the extend option you can shorten or lengthen objects to meet the edges of other
objects. For example a line can be exactly fitted between objects. Extending a object
works in the same way as trimming.
To extend: Click the Extend command; optionally select the object you want to extend
to; select the line(s) you want to extend.
Move

Move (m)
Moves one or more objects:
Select the objects and specify the base point.
The base point is essentially the point where you 'grab' the objects. So if you input
coordinates, the base point is the point where the coordinates relate to.
Moving an object can either be done with the aid of object snap, or by using relative
coordinates.

Rotate

Rotate (ro)

You can rotate objects with an absolute or relative angle. When using an absolute
angle: Specify the base point and then specify the rotation angle.
Copy

Copy (co)
Copy's one or more objects.
Method:
Select objects, press copy and specify a base point (in a similar fashion as with the
move tool)
Now you can position the object in the same way as you would with a starting point
of a line.
Array

Array (ar)
Create copies of objects in a rectangular or polar pattern. This is especially useful
when you need to duplicate several objects at the same distance from each other
(columns in a parking garage for instance).
After clicking on the array button the following screen will appear:

In this screen we need to input the number of Rows (horizontal direction) and
Columns (vertical direction) and their respective offset.
For example:
We're going to create a grid of I-beams, lets first input the number of rows and
columns (in this case 3 and 4). Now input the row and column offset: 30 units to the
right and 20 units upward.
AutoCAD automatically shows a preview of the array operation in the white square,
try experimenting with different values (for instance a negative value instead of a
positive one) to see what happens.
When you're satisfied with the settings, select the object to use in the row operation,
by first clicking on the 'Select Objects' button and then on the objects themselves.
Finish the selection by pressing [space] or [enter]
When the array window reappears, select either Preview or OK to execute the array
command.

In the same manner it's possible to create a polar array:

The polar array rotates around the center point which you can select by clicking on
the center point button in the array window.
Mirror

Mirror (mi)

Create a mirror image of a object. It is useful for creating symmetrical objects because
you can quickly draw half the object and then mirror it instead of drawing the entire
object.
You flip the object about an axis called a mirror line to create a mirror image. First
select the object. To specify the temporary mirror line, you enter two points. You can
choose whether to delete [y] or retain the original [n] object.
Scale

Scale (sc)
To scale an object you can specify a base point and a length, which will give a scale
factor. A scale factor greater than 1 enlarges the object. It is also possible to scale an
object using a reference object. This method scales the object equally in all directions.
Scaling using a scale factor: Select the object; type sc in the command line; scale
factor; [enter]
Scaling using a reference: Select the object; type sc in the command line; specify base
point; choose r to use reference; specify the reference length of the original object;
specify the new length of the original object.
Fillet

Fillet (f)
You can use the fillet tool to connect two objects with an arc with a specified radius.
The inside corner is called a fillet and an outside corner is called a round.
To fillet: type f in the command line; type R for the radius (optional); specify the
radius; [enter]; select the first line; select the second line.
Chamfer is almost identical, but it will will make a straight line instead of an arc.

Join

Join (j)
You can use the join option to combine similar objects into one single object. It is also
possible to create complete circles from arcs.
The object you want to join is called the source object. And the objects you want to
join have to be located in the same plane.
To join: Type j in the command line; select the source object; select the lines to join to
the source object.
If you use AutoCAD 2009 or older, you can only join lines when the endpoints of the
lines are on one point.
Explode

Explode (ex)
Polylines, hatches or blockes can be converted into individual elements with the
explode option.
If you explode a polyline every segment will become a separate line.
To Explode a block: First select the block; type ex; [enter].
Cartesian and Polar Coordinates
A Cartesian coordinate system has three axes, X, Y, and Z. When you enter
coordinate values, you indicate a point's distance and its direction (+ or -) along
the X, Y, and Z axes relative to the coordinate system origin (0,0,0).

In 2D, you specify points on the XY plane, also called the work plane. The work
plane is similar to a flat sheet of grid paper. The X value of a Cartesian coordinate
specifies horizontal distance, and the Y value specifies vertical distance. The origin
point (0,0) indicates where the two axes intersect.

Polar coordinates use a distance and an angle to locate a point. With both
Cartesian and polar coordinates, you can enter absolute coordinates based on the
origin (0,0) or relative coordinates based on the last point specified.

Another method of specifying a point is by moving the cursor to indicate a

direction, and then entering a distance. This method is called direct distance entry.

You can enter coordinates in scientific, decimal, engineering, architectural, or

fractional notation. You can enter angles in grads, radians, surveyor's units, or
degrees, minutes, and seconds. The UNITS command controls the unit format.

Note:

 Coordinates and distances are always measured in units, which do not represent
any specific type of units such as millimeters or inches. Before you start, you
decide what distance one unit will represent in the drawing.
 Coordinates normally reference a moveable user coordinate system (UCS) rather
than the fixed World Coordinate System (WCS). By default, the UCS and WCS
are coincident.

About Entering 2D Cartesian Coordinates

You can use absolute or relative polar coordinates (distance and angle) to locate
points when creating objects.

To use polar coordinates to specify a point, enter a distance and an angle

separated by an angle bracket (<).

By default, angles increase in the counterclockwise direction and decrease in the

clockwise direction. To specify a clockwise direction, enter a negative value for the
angle. For example, entering 1<315 locates the same point as entering 1<-45. You can
change the angle conventions for the current drawing with the UNITS command.
Absolute Polar Coordinates

Absolute polar coordinates are measured from the UCS origin (0,0), which is the
intersection of the X and Y axes. Use absolute polar coordinates when you know the
precise distance and angle coordinates of the point.

With dynamic input, you can specify absolute coordinates with the # prefix. If
you enter coordinates on the command line instead of in the tool tip, the # prefix is not
used. For example, entering #3<45 specifies a point 3 units from the origin at an angle
of 45 degrees from the X axis.

The following example shows two lines drawn with absolute polar coordinates using
the default angle direction setting. Enter the following in the tooltip:

Command: line

From point: #0,0

To point: #4<120

To point: #5<30

Relative Polar Coordinates

Relative coordinates are based on the last point entered. Use relative coordinates
when you know the location of a point in relation to the previous point.

To specify relative coordinates, precede the coordinate values with an @ sign.

For example, entering @1<45 specifies a point at a distance of 1 unit from the last
point specified at an angle of 45 degrees from the X axis.

The following example shows two lines drawn with relative polar coordinates. In
each illustration, the line begins at the location labeled as the previous point.
Command: line

From point: @3<45

To point: @5<285

Course Title COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Course Code AST 135
Topic Fundamental Commands
Week # 3-4

ILO 3 Discuss the basic commands like draw, modify, and dimension
toolbars.
ILO 4 Demonstrate the different ways and option on how to apply the
basic command in AutoCAD.
ILO 5 Create 2D objects using the basic commands in CAD.

Construction of 2D Objects

When you draw lines of a precise length in AutoCAD, you use one of five kinds
of linear units. Angular units can also be any of five types. The combination you
choose will largely depend on the type of drawings you plan to prepare. Each of these
linear and angular units is presented at the end of this chapter, but for now let’s focus
on getting ready to begin drawing the cabin.

When you start a new drawing, AutoCAD displays a blank drawing called
Drawing#.dwg. By default, the linear and angular units inside this drawing are set to
decimal numbers. The units and other basic setup parameters applied to this new
drawing are based on a prototype drawing with default settings, including those for
the units. This chapter covers some of the tools for changing the basic parameters of a
new drawing so that you can tailor it to the cabin project or to your own project.

Begin by setting up new units.

1. With AutoCAD running, click the Start Tab at the top of the user interface.
2. Expand the Templates menu within the Start Drawing tool on the Create page of
the Start Tab shown in Figure and select the [Link] template.
3. Choose Application menu ➢ Drawing Utilities ➢ Units to open the Drawing Units
dialog box (equivalent to typing UNITS at the com- mand line), shown in Figure 3.2.
In the Length group, Decimal is currently selected. Similarly, in the Angle group
Decimal Degrees is the default.

4. Within the Drawing Units dialog box, in the Length group, click the arrow in the
Type drop-down list and select Architectural (metric users can leave this set to
Decimal). These units are feet and inches, which you’ll use for the cabin project.
Notice the two Precision drop-down lists under the Length and Angle groups.
When you changed the linear unit specification from Decimal to Architectural, the
number in the Precision drop-down list on the left changed from 0.0000 to 0′-0 1⁄16″.
At this level of precision, linear distances are displayed to the nearest 1⁄16″. Metric
users should set this to 0 because you won’t be using units smaller than a millimeter
here.
5. Select some of the other Length unit types from the list, and notice the way the
units appear in the Sample Output group at the bottom of the dialog box. Then select
Architectural again or leave it set to Decimal for metric use.
6. Click the down-arrow button in the Precision drop-down list in the Length group to
display the choices of precision for Architectural units.
7. Click 0′-0 1⁄16″ (0) to maintain the precision for display of linear units at 1⁄16″ (nearest
millimeter).

What Hatch Properties can be defined in Advance CAD?

The “Hatch” feature is a popular choice for detailing 2D drawings in Advance

CAD. It is a highly customizable tool, as the user is able to change patterns, scaling,
spacing as well as other attributes. Pattern properties are available for both predefined
and user-defined hatch patterns.
How to specify hatch pattern properties
In the Boundary Hatch window box, click the Pattern Properties tab and
choose between the “Predefine” or “User Defined” options from the “Pattern Type”
drop-down menu. You can choose options for the pattern or copy the pattern from a
sample pattern already in your drawing. The hatch can be set to be associative or non-
associative.
Options in the Pattern Properties tab of the Boundary Hatch Dialog Box
Properties section

 Pattern Type: you can choose from two types: “Predefined” and “User
Defined”.
o Predefined: choose this option if you want to use a hatch pattern from
the standard or ISO hatch pattern library files;
o User Defined: enables you to define a new hatch pattern.

You can fill existing objects or enclosed areas with hatch patterns, solid color
fills, or gradients, or you can create new hatch objects.
Choose from:

 Predefined hatch patterns. Choose from over 70 ANSI, ISO, and other industry-
standard hatch patterns, or add hatch pattern libraries supplied by other
companies.
 User-defined hatch patterns. Define your own hatch patterns based on the
current linetype, with spacing, angle, color, and other properties you specify.
 Custom hatch patterns. Hatch patterns are defined in
the [Link] and [Link] ([Link] and [Link] for AutoCAD LT)
files. You can add custom hatch pattern definitions to these files.
 Solid fill. Fill an area with a solid color.
 Gradient fill. Fill an enclosed area with a color gradient. A gradient fill can be
displayed as a tint (a color mixed with white), a shade (a color mixed with black),
or a smooth transition between two colors.

Gradients that mimic colors displayed on a cylinder, a sphere, or other shapes are
available.

Hatch Boundaries and Associativity

In the following illustration, the concrete hatches are bounded, while the earth
hatches are unbounded.

By default, bounded hatches are associative, which means that the hatch object is
associated with the hatch boundary objects: changes to the boundary objects are
automatically applied to the hatch.
 Nonassociative hatches are not updated when their original boundary is changed.

Hatch associativity is turned on by default and is controlled by the HPASSOC

system variable. You can change hatch associativity using the Associate button on the
Options palette, the Properties palette, or the Hatch Edit dialog box.

Note: The OS OPTIONS system variable controls how object snaps work with hatch
objects.

Current Layer Override

By default, all new objects are created on the current layer. For new hatch
objects, you can specify a default layer that's different than the current layer by
specifying the layer with the HPLAYER system variable.

Line Type

Linetype is a visual property assigned to geometric objects. Linetypes can be a

pattern of dashes, dots, text, and symbols, or unbroken and continuous.

The current linetype setting defines the default appearance of all new geometric
objects. You can see which linetype is current in the Properties panel of the ribbon
Home tab when no objects are selected.
 The Continuous linetype displays objects with a solid, unbroken pattern.
 The ByLayer linetype displays objects with the linetype assigned to the current
layer.
 An explicitly set linetype, for example DASHDOT, displays objects with that
linetype regardless of the current layer.
 The ByBlock linetype displays objects with the Continuous linetype until the
objects are combined into a block definition. When the block is inserted into
the drawing, it displays the current linetype for those objects.

Load Linetypes
Before you can use different linetypes, you must load them in the drawing with

the Linetype Manager. Find

For linetypes that you use frequently, you can load them in a template drawing.
Then when you create drawings from the template, the linetypes are already loaded.
Linetypes are defined in a linetype definition (LIN) file. When you load a linetype,
you select the linetype definition file and a specific linetype from within that file. Two
linetype definition files are available: [Link] for imperial units, and [Link] for
metric units.

Note: Due to scaling, do not mix imperial and metric linetypes in the same drawing.

You can remove unreferenced linetype definitions from a drawing with the
PURGE command, or from the Linetype Manager. The BYBLOCK, BYLAYER, and
CONTINUOUS linetypes cannot be removed.

Linetype Scale
 Linetype scale controls the size and spacing of repetitions of the linetype pattern
for each drawing unit. There are a number of scaling options that can affect how
linetypes display and plot.

Global Scale Factor

The global scale factor affects the appearance of all the linetypes in the drawing.
You can set the global scale factor by changing the LTSCALE system variable at the
Command prompt or with the Linetype Manager. The default global scale factor is
1.0. The smaller the scale factor, the more repetitions and the smaller the spacing in
each linetype pattern.

If you change the global scale factor, the appearance of all the linetypes in the
drawing change.

Current Object Scale

The current object scale, also called the current linetype scale, controls the
linetype scale for new objects. You can set the current object scale by changing the
CELTSCALE system variable or with the Linetype Manager. The default current
object scale is 1.0. When you create geometry, the current object scale value becomes
the object’s linetype scale property. You can change the linetype scale of an existing
object in the Properties palette.

The linetype scale for objects is based on both the global scale factor, and the
linetype scale property. A line created with CELTSCALE = 2 in a drawing with
LTSCALE set to 0.5 would appear the same as a line created with CELTSCALE = 1
in a drawing with LTSCALE = 1.

Paper Space Linetype Scale

When you work in paper space the layout viewports might be set to different
scales. When you plot from paper space, set the PSLTSCALE system variable to 1 to
plot all linetype patterns consistently between viewports regardless of scale. If
PSLTSCALE is set to 0, all linetypes use the global setting of LTSCALE.

Model Space Linetype Scale

When you work in the Model tab, the annotation scale can affect linetype scaling.
If you do not want the annotation scale to affect linetypes when plotting from the
Model tab, set the MSLTSCALE system variable to 0. The default value of
MSLTSCALE is 1.
Linetype Scale and Short Segments
If the linetype of an object looks solid even though you assigned a linetype with a
pattern, you may need to specify a different linetype scale for the object.

You can change the linetype scale of the object in the Properties palette to get the
desired look.

Linetypes and Polyline Vertices

For polylines, you can specify whether a linetype pattern is centered on each
segment or is continuous across vertices throughout the entire length of the polyline.

Use the PLINEGEN system variable to specify this option for new objects. You
can update existing polylines on the Properties palette in the Linetype Generation
setting.

Course Title COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Course Code AST 135
Topic Fundamental Commands
Week # 5-8

ILO 3 Discuss the basic commands like draw, modify, and dimension
toolbars.
ILO 4 Demonstrate the different ways and option on how to apply the
basic command in AutoCAD.
ILO 5 Create 2D objects using the basic commands in CAD.
Blocks

Insert symbols and details into your drawings from commercial online sources or
from your own [Link] AutoCAD, a block is a collection of objects that are
combined into a single named object. The following are some sample blocks at
various scales.

Some of these blocks are realistic representations of objects, some are symbols,
and one of them is an architectural title block for a D-size drawing.

Insert a Block
Typically, each of these blocks is an individual drawing file, perhaps saved in a folder
with similar drawing files. When you need to insert one into your current drawing file,
you use the INSERT command (or enter I in the Command window).

The first time you insert the drawing as a block, you need to click Browse to
locate the drawing file. Make sure you organize your blocks into easy-to-find folders.
 Once inserted, the block definition is stored in your current drawing. From then
on, you can choose it from the Name drop-down list without needing to click the
Browse button.

Tip: The default settings in the Insert dialog box are usually acceptable. After you
choose the block name, click OK, and then specify its location in your drawing. You
can rotate it later, if necessary.

Notice that when you insert a block, it is attached to your cursor at the point
indicated. This location is called the insertion point. By default, the insertion point is
the origin point (0,0) of the original drawing.
 After inserting the block, you can select it and a grip appears. You can easily
move and rotate this block using this grip.

In the following example, a drawing file is inserted into the current drawing to
provide a standard detail view.

Note: Inserting a drawing file as a block provides a static reference to the specified
drawing. For a reference that automatically updates, you can attach the drawing with
the External References palette (XREF command) instead.

Create a Block Definition

Instead of creating a drawing file to be inserted as a block, you might want to
create a block definition directly in your current drawing. Use this method if you do
not plan to insert the block into any other drawing. In that case, use the BLOCK
command to create the block definition.

For example, this is how you could create a module for a cubicle design.

1. Create the objects for the block.

2. Start the BLOCK command.
3. Enter a name for the block, in this case Quad-Cube.
4. Select the objects that you created for the block (click 1 and 2).
5. Specify the block insertion point.

You can enter the information for steps 3, 4, and 5 into the Block Definition
dialog box in any order.

After creating the block definition, you can insert, copy, and rotate the block as
needed.

Using the EXPLODE command, you can explode a block back to its component
objects if you need to make changes. In the illustration below, the cubicle on the right
was exploded and modified.
 In this example, you would probably create a new block definition from the
objects in the exploded block.

Note: You can create block definitions that include one or more attributes that store
and display information. The command that you would use is ATTDEF. Typically,
attributes include data such as part number, name, cost, and date. You can export
block attribute information to a table or to an external file.

Recommendations
There are several different schemes for saving and retrieving block definitions.

 You can create an individual drawing file for each block that you intend to use.
You save these drawing files in folders, each of which would contain a family of
related drawing files.
 You can include the block definitions for title blocks and common symbols in
your drawing template files to make them available immediately when starting a
new drawing.
 You can create several drawing files, which are sometimes called block library
drawings. Each of these drawings contains a family of related block definitions.
When you insert a block library drawing into your current drawing, all the blocks
that are defined in that drawing become available.

How to export a group of objects to a separate drawing file?

Creating a drawing that only contains a group of objects is helpful for creating a
detail library of commonly used [Link] the WBLOCK command to export
these objects as a drawing, which can be inserted into other drawings as a block.

Use one of the following methods to create a WBLOCK:

Create a WBLOCK from an existing block in a drawing

1. On the command line, enter wblock.

2. In the Write Block dialog box, under Source, click Block.
3. Select the desired block from the drop-down list.
4. Under Destination, in the File Name box, enter the file name for the WBLOCK.
5. In the Location box, enter the save location for the WBLOCK (new drawing
file).
6. Click OK to create the new drawing.

To Insert a Block Using DesignCenter

1. If DesignCenter is not already open, click View tab > Palettes

panel > DesignCenter. Find

2. On the DesignCenter toolbar, click Tree View Toggle.
3. In the tree view, navigate to the drawing that contains the block definition you
want to insert.
4. Expand the list under the drawing and click Blocks to display images of the
block definitions in the drawing.
5. Do one of the following to insert the block:
 Drag the block image into your current drawing. Use this option when you want
to insert blocks quickly and move or rotate them to their precise locations later.
 Double-click the image of the block that you want to insert. Use this method
when you want to specify the exact placement, rotation, and scale of the block as
you insert it.

Course Title COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Course Code AST 135
Topic Fundamental Commands
Week # 10-17

ILO 6 Explain the 3D commands in CAD.

ILO 7 Apply the 3D Isometric commands to construct 3D drawing.

ILO 8 Illustrate the Rendering Commands Perspective Projection.

Introduction to 3D AutoCAD Commands

AutoCAD is three-dimensional CAD software that is used commercially across

the world. Developed by Autodesk in the year 1982. AutoCAD is also available as a
mobile and web app which is marketed as AutoCAD 360. AutoCAD offers an
exclusive range of commands and functions both for 3D and 2D modeling and
drawing with an amazing set of tools. 3D is all about the third Z coordinate. While
working in 2D the user only cares for the X and Y axis and most of the time
coordinates are not used. Whereas, while working with 3D the user uses all the
coordinates which can even make their work quite easier.

Why do I need a 3D?

 Today, technology has made it possible to link our imagination a bit closer to the
reality and it can be done by 3D modeling, printing, rendering and more. There is a
huge number of software available in the market that offers the users to bring their
imagination into reality. Some of the software is freeware while some are priced.
With every update and with continuous new discoveries, people are more attracted
towards the technology that is offering them to make and create vivid designs. The
need for 3D is a necessary part of the designing world. Without it, the design almost
looks like a sketch. Moreover, 3D is a boost for all the interior designers, architects
who can design life-like models of any building, office or any exterior with some
interiors as well like furniture, walls, show pieces and more.

3D modeling
A process of creating a mathematical representation of any surface of an object in
three dimensions by using special software is called 3D modeling. A 3D model can
even be represented as a two-dimensional image by using the 3D rendering process.
The user can also create 3D models physically using 3D printers. There is a lot of
software that is used to create 3D models like AutoCAD, MAX, MAYA, and many
more.

3D models are high in demand with the game developers as well. Some computer
games use already rendered images of 3D models which are known as sprites. This
helps the designer to view the model in all directions and they can make sure that the
object created is like the original one. Presently, 3D models are also used by the
movie industry, they use them as objects for animated and real-life pictures. Also,
since a lot VFX are used in movies and gaming industry 3D models, renders and
effects are most commonly used. The medical industry also uses 3D models of
organs.

Some of the benefits of 3D modeling are:

 Using 3D models, users can get a more evocative design and they can even see
the virtual images of their projects.
 An architectural 3D model is much more interesting and realistic than a 2D
model.
 The experience that a 3D model gives is much more compelling and satisfying
to the user than viewing a 2D drawing. The user can see the impact of all the
minor and major changes made in a 3D model. This also aids in better
finishing of the designs, without wasting time and money.
 3D models are an amazing advantage to interior designers as they get to create
and then modify 3D interior as well as exterior as per their need and choice.
 In a 3D design, the user gets to know the physical dimensions of the objects
and its distance in relation with other objects in the total layout. This feature
helps enormously to see and modify arrangements of objects based on their
sizes.
 For best results, some artists use a mixture of 3D modeling followed by
editing the 2D computer-rendered images from the 3D model.

Top AutoCAD 3D Commands

Let us look at the top commands which are as follows:
Revolve
Location: Draw > Modeling > Revolve

This AutoCAD 3D command creates a 3D solid by revolving a 2D object around an

axis.

Extrude
Location: Draw > Modeling > Extrude

This AutoCAD 3D Extrude command allows the user to create a 3D object by

extruding a 2D face along a line or path. For example, A cylinder can be created by
selecting a 2D circle and extruding it along with a path.

Sweep
Location: Draw > Modeling > Sweep

This command helps the user to extrude the 2D objects without the 2D face being
orthogonal to the beginning of the path.

Union
Location: Modify > Solids Editing > Union

This AutoCAD 3D command allows the user to combine two objects converting into
one single object.

Subtract
Location: Modify > Solids Editing > Subtract

This command is opposite to the union command; this command works when there is
a common area in both the objects. Then this command subtracts the object A from
the object B.

Intersect
Location: Modify > Solid Editing > Intersect

With this AutoCAD 3D command the user is left with the area that is common to both
the objects.

Setting Up the 3D Workspace and Environment

So far, you’ve been using the Drafting & Annotation workspace to create your
drawings. Your first task in transitioning into 3D begins by switching to a new
workspace for working in 3D and changing how AutoCAD displays the available
tools.

Follow these steps to switch the workspace:

1. Open the file you created on AutoCAD.

2. Switch to the 3D Modeling workspace by using the Workspace Switching flyout on
the status bar.

Switching to the 3D Modeling workspace updates the AutoCAD user interface,

deemphasizing the 2D drafting tools used until this point and placing emphasis on the
3D modeling tool set. While many of the 2D-drafting tools have been deemphasized
or removed from the Ribbon, it’s important to note that all AutoCAD commands are
still available from the command line. Likewise, it’s always possible to restore the
complete 2D-drafting tool set by switching back to the Drafting & Annotation
workspace.

3. Zoom in to the object, make the object layer current and freeze all other layers.
4. If the UCS icon isn’t visible on your screen, click the Home tab and then click the
Show UCS Icon button on the Coordinates panel. You’ll use the UCS icon in a
moment, but for now keep an eye on it as the drawing changes. Remember that the
icon’s arrows indicate the positive direction for the x-, y-, and (in 3D) z-axes.

Now you’ll use the in-canvas viewport controls to change from a plan view of the
drawing—looking straight down at it—to a view in which you’re looking down from
an angle. There are several preselected viewpoints, and here you’ll switch to one of
them. The in-canvas viewport controls are composed of three bracketed menus in the
upper-left corner of the drawing window. Starting from the left, these menus are as
follows:
▶ Viewport Control
▶ View Controls
▶ Visual Style Control
You’ll use the View Controls menu to change the angle at which the drawing is
displayed.

5. Using the in-canvas viewport controls, click the View Controls menu, currently
displayed as [Top], and choose SW Isometric, as shown in Figure.

Notice how the UCS icon has altered with the change of view. The X and Y
arrows still run parallel to the side and front of the cabin, but the icon and the floor
plan are now at an angle to the screen, and the z-axis is visible. The crosshair cursor is
now colored and also displays the z-axis.
 Visual styles allow a 3D model to display in several different ways: with
nonvisible edges hidden, with materials applied, or even transparently. The most
appropriate visual style is often dictated by the task at hand, the context of which will
be established in the succeeding exercises.

Currently, the most basic of these visual styles, 2D Wireframe, is in use. To get
started, you’ll change this to one of the 3D visual styles included with the product.

6. Returning to the in-canvas viewport controls, click the Visual Style Control menu,
currently displayed as [2D Wireframe], and select X-Ray

Using the Render Panel

The Render panel provides access to most of AutoCAD’s rendering commands.
Using the Advanced Render Settings Palette The Advanced Render Setting palette
contains the main controls for the renderer. The palette is separated into several
sections ranging from basic to advanced settings. The General sections contain
settings that affect how your model gets rendered, how materials and shadows are
handled, and how anti-aliasing (the smoothing of the stair-step effect at the edge of
curved lines or edges) is performed. The Raytracing section controls how shading
occurs. The Indirect Illumination section controls lighting properties, how your scene
is illuminated, and if global illumination and final gather are processed. There are also
diagnostic controls that can be useful in helping you understand why an image isn’t
getting rendered as expected.

Setting the Render Destination

Rendered images appear in either a viewport or in the Render window. This

render destination is set in the Advanced Render Settings palette in the Render
Context section. The default setting is Window. When the render destination is set to
Window, the renderer automatically opens the Render window and the image is
processed. Upon completion, the image is displayed in this window and a history
entry is created. As more renderings are created, they are added to the render history
so you can quickly look at previous images and compare to see which have the
desired results. Images that you want to keep can be saved from the Render window.
 If you set the render destination to Viewport, the image is rendered and displayed
in the active AutoCAD viewport. This is a one-time rendering because there is no
render history entry that you can compare later. If you want to keep the image that
you rendered to the viewport, use the SAVEIMG command.

When rendering to the Render window, you can also specify that AutoCAD save
the rendering to a file. When rendering to a Viewport, this option is not available.

Rendering Views, Selected Objects, or Cropped Content

You can render an entire view, a set of selected objects, or a portion of what you
see in the viewport. By default, AutoCAD renders all of the objects in the current
view. To render a named view or camera view, first restore that view, which you can
easily do from the View list on the 3D Navigate dashboard panel.

If you only want to render specific objects, first change the rendering procedure
to Selected in the Advanced Render Settings palette. AutoCAD will then prompt you
to pick the objects that you want rendered.

You can also choose to render only a portion of what’s displayed in the viewport,
by either setting the rendering procedure to Crop or by selecting the Region tool in the
Render panel. AutoCAD will then prompt you to select the opposite corners of a
window. Any objects within that region are rendered; everything outside the region is
ignored. When rendering a cropped region, the rendering only displays in the
viewport.

References:

 Module (AutoCAD) by Rubial Technical Training Center Inc.

 Comprehensive AutoCAD by Microcadd Institute
 AUTOCAD MANUAL by Laredo Angelo A. Carandang
 WORKING BOOK FOR AUTOCAD
 [Link]
 [Link]