Commands

A command is a specific instruction given

to a computer application to perform
some kind of task or function. AutoCAD
application has an enormous number of
commands that a user or CAD operator
must understand on how to use them.
Command names or shortcuts can
be entered at the keyboard,
commands can be started from the
Draw pull-down menu, shown on the
right or from the Draw toolbar.
Basic Drawing Commands
The Draw commands can be used to create new objects
such as lines and circles. Most AutoCAD drawings are
composed purely and simply from these basic
components.
Linear commands are a command
that creates line segments. Each
command has its own properties and
different methods to utilize them.
Line - it creates straight line segments
between two points usually the line
segment that is created is independent to
each other.
• Menu: Draw Line
• Command entry: L(enter) Specify first
point: (pick P1)
The Construction Line
• Shortcut key: XL
• The Construction Line command creates a line of
infinite length which passes through two picked
points. Construction lines are very useful for creating
construction frameworks or grids within which to
design.
• Command: XLine
• Specify first point (pick P1) Specify through point (pick
P2)
Polyline - it creates two-
dimensional polylines and usually
the line segment that is created is
dependent to each other.
The polyline or Pline command is
comparable to the line command but the
resulting protest may be composed of a
several of fragments that form a single
object.
• Command: PLINE
• Specify start point: (pick P1) Current linewidth is 0.0000
• Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
(pick P2) Specify next point or
[Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: (pick P3)
Specify next point or
[Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: (pick P4)
Specify next point or
[Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: (pick P5)
• Specify next point or
[Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: Return (or C to
close)
Rectangular commands
are a command that creates
rectangular objects whose sides are
vertical and horizontal. The position
and size of the rectangle are defined
by picking two diagonal corners.
• Command: RECTANGLE
• Specify first corner point
or
[Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/
Thickness/Width]: (pick
P1) Specify other corner
point or [Dimensions]:
(pick P2)
Curve commands
are a command that creates curve or
circular objects. Each command has
its own properties and different
methods to utilize them.
Arc - arc command permits you to draw a
circular segment of a circle. There are
various ways to define an arc. The
default strategy uses three pick points - a
beginning point, a second point and an
endpoint.
• Command: ARC or A[enter]
• Specify start point of arc or [Center]: (pick
P1)
• Specify second point of arc or [Center/End]:
(pick P2)
• Specify end point of arc: (pick P3)
• Note: It is also possible to create an arc by
trimming a circle object.
Circle - it creates a circle. There are six ways
to draw a circle. Center, radius is the default
option, if you utilize this command to create
circles. The 6 ways or options to draw a circle
are listed below:
• Menu: Draw Circle Center, Radius
• Command entry: Circle /or C
•Command: CIRCLE or C[enter]
•Specify center point for circle or
[3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: (pick P1)
•Specify radius of circle or [Diameter]
<50.0195>: (pick P2 or enter the exact
radius)
Donut - it draws filled circles and
rings
Menu: Draw Donut
Command entry: Donut /or DO
• Command: DONUT or DO [enter]
• Specify inside diameter of donut <0.5000>:
• (Pick any two points to define a diameter or
enter the exact length)
• Specify outside diameter of donut <1.0000>:
(pick any two points to define a diameter or
enter the exact length)
• Specify center of donut or <exit>: (pick P1
Ellipse - it creates an ellipse or an
elliptical arc
•Menu: Draw Ellipse Center
•Command entry: Ellipse /or EL
• Command: ELLIPSE or EL [enter]
• Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center]:
(pick P1)
• Specify other endpoint of axis: (pick P2)
• Specify distance to other axis or
• [Rotation]: (pick P3)
• The ellipse command can also be used to draw
isometric circles.
Spline - A spline could be a smooth
bend that's fitted along with several
control points.
• Command: SPLINE or SPL [enter]
• Specify first point or [Object]: (Pick P1)
• Specify next point: (Pick P2)
• Specify next point or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>:
(Pick P3)
• Specify next point or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>:
(Pick P4)
• Specify next point or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>:
• Specify start tangent: (pick a point)
• Specify end tangent: (pick a point)
Revision Cloud - it creates a polyline of
sequential arcs to form a cloud shape.
•Menu: Draw Revision Cloud
•Command entry: Revcloud
Helix - it creates a 2D or 3D spiral
•Menu: Draw Helix
•Command entry: Helix
Polygon -This command requires four
inputs from the user, the number of
sides, and a Choose point for the center
of the polygon, whether you want the
polygon inscribed or circumscribed.
• Command: POLYGON or POL [enter]
• Enter number of sides <4>: 6
• Specify center of polygon or [Edge]: (pick P1 or type E
to define by edge length)
• Enter an option [Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed
about circle] <I>:
• (To accept the inscribed default or type C for
circumscribed)
• Specify radius of circle: (pick P2 or enter exact radius)
1. Inscribed in circle – this polygon is
created inside a specified radius of circle.
2. Circumscribed about circle – this
polygon is created outside a specified
radius of circle.
Special commands
can be summoned for a special
purpose and usually the name of its
commands corresponds to their
functions.
Activity 1
A. Direction: Identify the commands of the
following shortcuts. Write your answer in a
separate sheet of paper or in your activity
notebook.
1. L _____________ 5. DO _____________
2. SPL _____________ 6. POL_____________
3. PL _____________ 7. A _____________
4. REC _____________ 8. C _____________
B. Direction: Identify the command used to
the drawing.
Direction: Read each statement below
carefully and fill in the blank(s) with the
correct answer. Answers may be more than
one word.
1. The ____________ command can be utilized to
draw any customary polygon from 3 sides up to
1024 sides.
2. The position and measure of the rectangle are
characterized by picking two inclining
____________.
3. The ____________ command is comparable to
the line command but may be composed of a
number of fragments which from a single object.
4. The arc command permits you to draw a
circular segment of a ________.
5. The ____________ command enables you
to draw a solid circle.
6. A ____________ could be a smooth bend
that is fitted along a number of control
points.
7/8. The rectangle command is utilized to draw a
rectangle whose sides are _____________ and
___________.
9. The shortcut for circle command is
_________________.
10. The shortcut for spline command is
______________.