BSABE 1

BESC01

COMPUTER-AIDED
2ND SEMESTER 2023-2024
 Introduction to
AutoCAD Software
and its Environment
Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD):
Definition
 It is the process used to
design and draft
components on your
computer. This process
includes creating designs
and drawings of the
product or system.
 CAD may be used to draft
in 2D or 3D space.
 ADVANTAGES OF USING CAD
 constant quality drawing
 creation of database
 creation of library
 use of layers
 saving on repetition
 greater accuracy
 multicolor drawings
 editing functions
 AutoCAD
Software
 AutoCAD is one of leading CAD software that
has been used by industries in design
processes.
 developed and marketed by Autodesk Inc.
 It can be used to create two-dimensional
(2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models of
products.
 These models can be transferred to other
computer programs for further analysis and
testing.
 AutoCAD is one of the first CAD software
packages. It was introduced in the year 1982.
Since that time, it has become the industry
leader among all CAD products.
 AutoCAD Interface
The general sequence of operation of a CAD program is for the user to select the function
to be applied, and the particular way it is to be operated, and then for the program to
apply this function using data provided by the user. Traditionally, there are two ways in
which this is achieved:

Command-Based System
operate by reading a command and its
parameters entered by the user

Menu Driven System

user is at any time presented with a list
or menu of the functions that are
available to be selected
 Command-Based System

 Command-based systems operate by reading a command and its parameters

entered by the user, carrying out the required actions, then waiting for the next
command.
 The main commands are indicated by the permitted major words, and the
options relating to the command by minor words.
 Many systems also allow commands to be abbreviated, either through the use
of an alternative form (for example ‘dimension’ might be abbreviated by ‘dim’),
or by allowing the user to type only those characters of the command required
for its unique identification.
 The command is itself sometimes followed by the name of an object on which
to carry out the command.
 The general form of command may thus be summarized as:
command (optional parameters, target object)
Command-Based System
 Menu-Driven System

 The basic principle is that the user is at any time presented with a list or menu
of the functions that are available to be selected. The user selects from the list,
and then perhaps from further lists of available sub-functions until the function
is specified fully, at which point data is entered, or items selected for the
operation.
 In many systems the menus may be regarded as forming an inverted tree, with
the main command groupings at the first level (e.g., in a CAD context, construct,
modify, delete, move), and more specific functions at lower levels.
Menu-Driven System
 AutoCAD Task-Based Workspaces
Workspaces are sets of menus, toolbars, palettes, and ribbon control panels
that are grouped and organized so that you can work in a custom, task-
oriented drawing environment.

When you use a workspace, only the menus, toolbars, and palettes that are
relevant to a task are displayed. In addition, a workspace may automatically
display the ribbon, a special palette with task-specific control panels.

There are three workspaces available in AutoCAD:

• Drafting & Annotation (default, for 2D)
• 3D Basics (for 3D)
• 3D Modelling (for 3D)
2D User Interface
(AutoCAD 2015)
 Application Button
opens a list of self-explanatory menus to open an
existing drawing, open a new template, save, print,
or export drawings; and other common options.
 Quick Access Toolbar
This toolbar contains most of the frequently used tools from the
application button. This is located at the top left corner of the
window. It consists of commonly used commands such as New,
Save, Open, Save As, and so on

Info Bar
In the input field of the info bar you can type the name of any
command or tool to get more information about it. This bar also
contains other features, such as your sign-in account, access to
the Autodesk app store, and more help options.
 Drawing Window
Drawing window is the blank space located below the file tabs. You can
draw objects and create 3D graphics in the drawing window. The top left
corner of the drawing window has In-Canvas Controls. Using these
controls, you can set the orientation and display style of the model.

Drawing Window
 Menu Bar
It contains various menus such as File, Edit, View, Insert, Format,
Tools, Draw, Dimensions, Modify, and so on. Clicking on any of the
word on the Menu Bar displays a menu. The menu contains various
tools and options. There are also sub-options available on the menu.

Ribbon Area
The ribbon area contains all the tools and commands properly
arranged into different tabs and panels.
 View Cube
The View Cube allows you to navigate in the 3D Modeling and 2D
drafting environments. Using the View Cube, you can set the
orientation of the model.

Navigation Bar
The Navigation Bar contains navigation tools such as
Steering wheel, Pan, Zoom, Orbit, and Show Motion.
 Selection Cursor
This is the cursor that shows up on the AutoCAD screen it is basically two
perpendicular lines with a small cube at the center of the intersection of the
lines. Depending on the selection, your cursor might look different and
sometimes additional icons will also show next to the cursor.
No matter which of the cursors shown in the preceding figure is active, if you
want to return to the default state of the cursor, then simply press the Esc
key on your keyboard.
 User Coordinate System (UCS)
shows the X, Y, and Z directions of the Cartesian
coordinate system in the drawing area. The
point of intersection of the X and Y coordinates
in this UCS is the origin, or 0,0, point.

Command Line/Palette
All your typed commands will show up in this command line. In its
default state, the command line will show the Type a command
message and when you select any command, it will show the name of
the command and, next, a set of instructions in the command line.
 Layout Tabs
The layout tabs are like the sheets of your drawing on which you can
arrange different views of the drawing and finally plot multiple sheets. . By
default, the Model tab will be active and for the most part of a drawing,
we will work inside the Model tab.

Status Bar Toggles

It contains many buttons which help you to create a drawing very easily.
The options in the status bar help in making precise drawings. The toggles
on the status bar can be turned on by clicking on them once, and similarly,
clicking on them again turns them off. Most of the status bar tools have
their function key shortcuts as well. Some buttons are hidden by default.
 Dialog Boxes and Palettes
Dialog boxes and Palettes are part of AutoCAD user interface. Using a
dialog box or a palette, you can easily specify many settings and options.
Examples of dialog boxes and palettes are a shown below.
 Tool Palettes
Tool Palettes provide you with another way of selecting tools and
placing objects. A Tool Palette is similar to a palette except that it
has many palettes grouped in the form of tabs, as shown below.
You can select tools from the Tool Palettes as well as drag and
place objects (blocks) into the drawing. You can also create a new
Tool Palette and add frequently used tools and objects to it.
Shortcut Menus
Shortcut Menus are displayed
when you right-click in the
drawing window. AutoCAD
provides various shortcut
menus in order to help you
access tools and options very
easily and quickly. There are
various types of` shortcut
menus available in AutoCAD.
 Selection Window
A selection window is used to select multiple elements of the drawing.

 Rectangular Selection Window

You can create this type of selection window by defining its two diagonal corners.

When you define the first corner of the selection When you define the first corner of the selection
window on the left and second corner on the window on the left and second corner on the
right side, the elements which completely fall right side, the elements which completely fall
under the selection window will be selected. under the selection window will be selected.
 Selection Window
A selection window is used to select multiple elements of the drawing.

 Lasso Selection Window

Lasso is an irregular shape created by clicking and dragging the pointer across the
elements to select.

If you drag the pointer from the left to If you drag the pointer from right to left,
right, the elements falling completely the elements, which fall completely or
under the lasso will be selected. partially under the lasso, will be selected.
 THANKS!
Do you have any questions?

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