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The
difference between the two is that AutoCAD has an additional axis (Z) for 3 dimensional drawings. On this chapter you
will get to know each type of AutoCAD commands through practical exercises.
This chapter will prepare and sharpen your skill in AutoCAD. Before that, you will be introduced first to AutoCAD
coordinate system. This chapter will cover:
Summary
When you draw manually, you can use several processes to locate lines, arcs, etc. In many cases you measure so
many units to the right and many units to the top. In other cases you determine key points of your drawing by intersecting
two lines. For example, you might draw construction lines for the walls.
1
AutoCAD R14 or any other Cad programs require numeric data in one of several specific formats. Because AutoCAD is
interactive, you can draw in as much as the same manner as you do on manual drafting. There are times, however when
you must furnish graphic data in a certain format to perform a given task.
Using Coordinates
The AutoCAD drawing world is based on a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. That is, a point is located in
space by specifying its distance from an origin, along three perpendicular axes: the X, Y, and Z-axes.
Fig. 01
The default coordinate system in AutoCAD is called WCS (World Coordinate System). The intersection that the axes
create is the origin or the 0,0,0 (X,Y,Z) value.
Syntax: @X, Y
Fig. 03
5.
6.
7.
(2, 2)
Syntax: @d<A
d distance to the new point
A Angle with reference to the previous point.
Fig. 04
TOOL BUTTON
ALIAS
COMMAND
TOOL BUTTON
ALIAS
Arc
Linetype
LT
Array
AR
MatchProp
MA
Make Block
Measure
ME
Bhatch
BH; H
Mirror
Mi
Break
BR
Mline
ML
Chamfer
CHA
Move
MO
Change Properties
CH
Offset
Circle
Pan
COMMAND
Copy
TOOL BUTTON
ALIAS
CO; CP
COMMAND
Polygon
TOOL BUTTON
ALIAS
POL
Dimension Style
Polyline
PL
Ddinsert
Rectangle
REC
Ddmodify
MO
Redo
Hot
Ctrl + Y
Key:
Ddosnap
OS
Redraw
Drawing aids
RM
Redraw All
RA
DI
Rotate
RO
Donut
DO
Scale
SC
Ellipse
EL
Setvar ***
SET
Erase
Snap
SN
Explode
Stretch
Extend
EX
Trim
TR
Extrude **
EXT
Wblock
Fillet
Undo
Layer
LA
X ref ***
XR
Lengthen
LEN
Zoom
Line
Distance
Fly-out button
Hot
Ctr l+ Z
Key:
Fig. 05
The DRAW menu contains all the commands for entity creation. From 2dimensional and 3-dimensional creation, its all here. The DRAW menu is shown
on fig. 06. The DRAW tool bar on Fig. 05.
LINE
Command Line: Line; L
Menu: Draw > Line
Tool button:
The LINE command creates straight lines of separate entities. No matter how
many continuous segments you create, all the line segments are considered as
separate entities.
Fig. 06
ARC
Command Line: Arc; A
Menu: Draw > Arc
Tool button:
The ARC command allows you to create arcs, with different types of settings. As
you can see there are several choices, but the Three Point Arc will be the only
one to be discussed. It is up to you to discover the other Arc creation settings.
Subcommands:
Fig. 07 Circle sub-cascade menu
Fig. 08
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
6
8.
9.
10.
11.
5
Fig. 09
Point 6
Point 3
Point 7
Fig. 11
Fig. 10
12.
13.
14.
15.
Once you have zoomed-in, issue the LINE command and press F9 on the keyboard to activate snap.
Create a line starting from point 6, then snapping to the endpoint at point 3 and ending the line at point 7.
Zoom-out by issuing Zoom Previous. Type Z and press ENTER, then P and press ENTER.
Now change the color of the object according to you own pen assignments color coding.
CIRCLE
Command Line: Circle; C
Menu: Draw> Circle
Tool button:
7
Subcommands:
The CIRCLE command also has several choices to choose from, but the Center, Radius
and Center, Diameter will be the only ones to be discussed. On Fig. 12 shows the two
types of circle creation.
Fig. 12
Diameter length
R
Center, Diameter
Center, Radius
Creating Circle
As discussed before, the CIRCLE command has many
options to choose from. But the most commonly used are the
Center, Radius the Center, Diameter, and the TTR. (Tangent,
Tangent, Radius) option.
1.
2.
Fig. 13
3.
4.
5.
Using the OBJECT SNAP (Intersection), snap the center of the Circle at the INTERSECTION of Cross 1.
7.
As you can see both circles are of the same size. And we think you already know why.
Now on the two circles you have drawn, you will create a Circle in between and tangential to each Circle.
Repeat the command (Right-click).
At the Command Line:
Circle 3P/ 2P/ TTR/ <center point>:
Now on fig. 14, pick the circumference of the circle somewhere in point 1.
ELLIPSE
Command Line: Ellipse; EL
Menu: Draw> Ellipse
Tool button:
The ELLIPSE command of course creates Elliptical objects. It can either be created from a center
point or from its axis points (Fig. 15).
9
Subcommands:
Axis Endpoint
Center
Axis Endpoint
Fig. 15
POLYGON
Command Line: Polygon; Pol
Menu: Draw, Polygon
Tool button:
This command allows you to create objects with multiple sides. You can create closed entities from
Triangles to Dodecagon and more in a fly. There are two types of polygon creation, the inscribed and
the circumscribed shown on fig. 16.
Inscribed
Circumscribed
Fig. 16
RECTANGLE
Command Line: Rectangle; Rec
Menu: Draw> Rectangle
Tool button:
The RECTANGLE command has several sub-choices. By default <First corner> is the executable
command. There are others like Chamfer, Elevation, Fillet, Thickness, and Width.
Subcommands:
Chamfer/ Elevation/ Fillet/ Thickness/ Width/ <First Corner>:
Creating a polygon
10
1.
2.
On fig. 17 you are going to create a pentagon (5 sides) on each cross as the center. The first pentagon
will be created as inscribed and the other as circumscribed.
Line 1
Cross 1
Line 2
Cross 2
Fig. 17
3.
By default, the side settings are <4>. Type-in 5 and then press ENTER.
4.
Now drag the polygon and snap its radius at the MIDPOINT of line 1.
Repeat steps 3 4. But now snap the center or the polygon at the INTESECTION of cross 2.
At the command line:
Inscribed in circle/ Circumscribed about circle (I/C) <I>:
Type-in C to change the default to CIRCUMSCRIBED then issue the right-click to confirm the
command.
9. Now snap the radius of the polygon at the MIDPOINT of line 2.
10. Your drawing should look similar to fig. 18, see if you can figure out the difference between the two.
Inscribed
Circumscribed
Fig. 18
Creating an Ellipse
1.
2.
3.
4.
On fig. 19 snap the first axis endpoint at the ENDPOINT somewhere in point1.
Point 3
Cross 1
Cross 2
Point 4
Point 1
Point 2
Fig. 19
5.
Now that both axis endpoints has been established, you will have to determine the third axis point
At the command line:
<Other axis distance>/ Rotation:
cross 1.
Axis endpoint: On the same figure snap the Axis Endpoint to the ENDPOINT at point 3.
<Other axis distance>/ Rotation: Establish the 3rd axis by picking somewhere
in point 4.
Creating a Rectangle
1.
2.
<First Corner> is the current executable command. On Fig. 20 Pick somewhere in point #1.
Point 1
12
Fig. 20
3.
POLYLINE
Command line: Pline; PL
Menu: Draw> Polyline
The POLYLINE command is almost the same at the line. It also creates straight lines except that no
matter how many segments you create as long as you generated them continuously by successive
picks, it is considered as one entity. The other difference is that this command is enhanced with
several sub-commands.
Subcommands:
Arc/ Close/ Halfwidth/ Length/ Undo/ Width/ <Endpoint of Line>:
TIP: When you commit a mistake during the process of creating Polylines, just Type U (undo) and
press ENTER after committing the mistake.
Those that are in bold letters are the ones to be discussed on the sub-commands.
Polyline Exercise
1.
2.
3.
Open Tutorial09 drawing file from the CDROM or Diskette. Fig. 21 will be displayed.
Issue the POLYLINE command.
At the command line:
From point:
On fig. 21 create segments of lines below the existing lines similar to it by picking successively then
doing a right-click to end the command.
Fig. 21
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
After you have established the POLYLINE. Issue the ERASE command. (You will not actually erase the
line, but you will just select the line and the polyline and see the difference between the two.)
Select the line by picking it. (You will notice that only a single segment of the line was high lighted)
Select the POLYLINE. (You will notice that the whole Polyline was highlighted. This is because the
Polyline is a single entity.
Press ESC (escape) on the keyboard. (Upper left-hand corner).
Now open Tutorial10 drawing file if you are prompted to save changes choose no:
Issue the POLYLINE command. On fig. 22 snap on the endpoint at point 1.
Point 1
Point 2
13
Fig. 22
13. On Fig. 22, snap the arc on the endpoint at point 2. Issue a rightclick to end the command.
14. Now issue the Pline command oncemore. On fig .23, (Make sure ORTHO is turned on) pick somewhere at
points 1,2,3 & 4 successively. Simply create an open rectangle. Do not terminate the command yet.
Point 3
Point 4
Point 2
Point 1
Fig. 23
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
1.
2.
3.
14
Fig. 24
4.
Type-in W (width).
Starting width <0.00>:
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Fig. 25
MULTILINE
Command line: Mline; ML
Menu: Draw> Multiline
Tool button
The MULTILINE command is a very good tool for creating walls and other drawings which requires
multiple lines. Here you will encounter only the STANDARD MULTILINE. You will also learn how to
justify the Mline creation and change its width through the scale sub-command.
Subcommand:
Justification/ Scale/ STyle/
Fig. 26
Direction of creation
JB
JT
JT
JZ
JB
Direction of creation
JB
15
JZ
JT
JT
JB
JZ
Direction of creation
Legend:
JT Justification Top
JZ Justification Zero
JB Justification Bottom
Fig. 26 A Multilines Justification is affected on how the Multiline was created. Read thoroughly
though this section so to avoid confusions in the future.
Multiline Exercise
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fig. 27
5.
6.
7.
8.
INT 1
INT 2
Fig. 28
16
INT 8
INT 3
INT 4
INT 5
INT 6
9. Now, repeat the command. At the command line type J (Justification) then press ENTER.
10. Type in T (top) for the justification then press ENTER.
11. Pick INTERSECTION 3 for the first point and INTERSECTION 4 for the second point. Issue a right-click to
end the command.
12. Repeat the command with the same JUSTIFICATION but create the line in reverse direction (4 3).
Notice how it was created.
13. Repeat the command then specify B (bottom) as the justification.
14. Pick INTERSECTION 5 for the first point and INTERSECTION 6 for the second point.
15. Repeat the command and specify T (top) for the justification.
16. Pick INTERSECTION 3 for the first point and INTERSECTION 1 for the second point.
17. Repeat the command and reverse the creation (1 3).
18. Repeat the command and specify B (bottom) for justification.
19. Pick INTERSECTION 8 for the first point and INTERSECTION 7 for the second.
20. Repeat the command and reverse the creation (7 8). If you had been observant, you would notice how
the justification was affected by the direction of the creation.
21. To continue, open Tutorial13 drawing file from the CDROM or Diskette.
22. Issue the MULTILINE command. At the command line:
Justification/ Scale/ STyle/ <From point>:
Do a right-click to accept. On fig. 29 pick point 1 for the first point and INTERSECTION 2 for the
second then do a right-click.
24. Repeat the command and set the Mline scale
to 100.
25. On fig. 29, pick INTERSECTION 3 for the first
point and INTERSECTION 4 for the second.
Issue a right-click to terminate the command.
INT 1
INT 2
Fig. 29
TIP: Refer to Chapter 16 Enhance your
Productivity for a tip in editing Multiline.
INT 3
INT 4
Hatch
Command line: H; Bh; Hatch
Menu : Draw> Hatch
Tool button:
The Hatch command is used for inserting Architectural patterns like earth, rock, steel, concrete, sand, etc.
within a given area surrounded by a visible boundary. On Fig. 29a is the Boundary Hatch Dialog box.
Pattern button
17
Scale window
Angle window
Fig. 29a
Applying Hatch
1.
Open Tutorial 13b from the CD-ROM or Diskette. As you can see its a curb and a part of a concrete
pavement (Fig. 29b).
Fig. 29b
2.
3.
Point 2
Point 1
4.
5.
Click the PATTERN button. The HATCH PATTERN PALETTE dialog box will be displayed (Fig. 29c).
Fig. 29c
6.
7.
8.
9.
Fig. 29d
18
3.
4.
5.
Fig. 29f
Polyline
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Click PATTERN button, on the dialog box, locate EARTH pattern, select it and click OK.
On the SCALE window, Type 10.
On the ANGLE window, Type 45.
Click PREVIEW HATCH button, then click continue on the next dialog box.
Click APPLY.
Turn OFF the Boundary Layer.
The result should look something like Fig. 29g.
Fig. 29g
19
ERASE
Command line: Erase; E
Menu: Modify> Erase
Tool button:
The erase menu command of course is used to remove unwanted drawings,
lines or objects in your drawing area. You could execute the command through
picking or by implied or window crossing and the fence subcommand (see
Chapter 5 for a refreseher).
Fig. 31
Implied Window
Crossing Window
COPY
Command: Copy, CO, CY
Menu: Modify> Copy
The copy command allows you to duplicate objects, lines or the whole drawing. This is a powerful tool during
repetitive drawings. The copy command has a sub command called MULTIPLE (M), This is used to create
multiple copies of a selected object.
Copy Exercise
1.
2.
3.
default command.
4.
20
5.
6.
7.
At command line:
MIRROR
Command line: Mirror, MR
Menu: Modify> Mirror
Tool button:
The mirror is used for duplicating objects in mirrored or reverse position of the original object. This is
very good tool for creating symmetrical objects, this is also useful during block insertion (to be
discussed on further chapters).
Mirror Exercise
Fig. 33
1.
2.
3.
OFFSET
Command line: Offset; O
Menu: Modify> Offset
Tool button:
Offsetting subjects creates a similar object to the original one but is created on a specified distance.
When you offset a rectangle outside its perimeter it will create a larger rectangle. While offsetting
inside the perimeter to create a smaller one.
Subcommands:
Offset Distance or Through:
21
Offset Exercise
1.
Fig. 34
2.
Pick a point anywhere on the right side of line 1 then issue a right click top end the command.
5.
ENTER.
6.
7.
Pick the INTERSECTION point between line 3 and the door hinge.
8.
ARRAY
Command line: Array; Ar
Menu: Modify> Array
Tool button:
The ARRAY command creates multiple copies of a selected object in a rectangular ot polar (radial) pattern.
Original Object
700mm
-700mm
22
Arrayed Objects
Arrayed Objects
700mm
Original Object
-700mm
6.
Remember you are going to the Y (down). Type-in 700 (you have to specify 700 to achieve a
distance of 400 between objects because the square is already 300 X 300). Press ENTER.
8.
Pentagon 2
23
Point 1
Point 2
Fig. 37
3.
confirm.
Number of items: Type-in 7 and press ENTER.
Angle to fill (+ = ccw, - = ccw) <360>: 360 o is the default value. press ENTER
to confirm.
Rotate objects as they are copied? <Y>: Yes <Y> is the default command,
confirm it.
4.
5.
Re-issue the ARRAY command then repeat steps 3-5 with the center point of the ARRAY at point 2.
When prompted to Rotate objects as they are copied, type-in N (no) then confirm.
Arrayed Pentagon with
With objects rotated
Arrayed Pentagon
with objects not rotated
Fig. 38
MOVE
Command line: Move; M
Menu: Modify> Move
Tool button:
The MOVE command lets you dynamically move an entity or a group of entity across your drawing area. This
is very useful during revisions where you need to move objects like water closets, doors, etc in your drawing to
satisfy the revisions.
ROTATE
Command line: Rotate; RO
Menu: Modify> Rotate
Tool button:
The ROTATE command lets you dynamically ROTATE an entity or a group of entity along a specified base
point or axis point.
Moving and Rotating Objects
1.
2.
24
Basepoint 1
WC 1
Basepoint 2
WC2
3.
4.
Fig. 39
Issue the MOVE command, then select WC 1 (WC 1 and WC2 are blocked objects, so you just need to
pick the object and the whole WC 1 will be selected). Confirm the selection.
At the command line:
Base point or Displacement:
Turn ORTHO on (F8) then MOVE the WC 1 downward to the point that it doesnt obstruct the door swing.
Once you have established a good position, then pick that point or location.
Now issue the ROTATE command. On Fig. 39, select WC 2 and confirm the selection.
At the command line:
Base point: Pick somewhere in Basepoint 2.
9.
TRIM
Command line: Trim; TR
Menu: Modify> Trim
Tool button:
The trim command lets you remove unwanted extruding lines, etc through a specified cutting edge.
EXTEND
Command line: Extend; EX
Menu: Modify> Extend
Tool button:
The EXTEND command is the opposite of trim. This command lets you extend lines, arcs, etc to a specified
boundary edge.
25
2.
3.
4.
<Select objects to extend> is the default command. On Fig. 41 pick lines 1 and 2, and pick arc 1
somewhere at the X marks. Do a right click to complete the command.
Fig. 41
5.
26
Fig. 42
6.
Now repeat the TRIM command and select CE3 as the cutting edge and confirm.
Pick TR3 to trim it.
Repeat the TRIM command once more and select CE4, CE5, and CE6 as the cutting edge and confirm.
Trim off TR4, TR5, and TR6 then terminate the command.
TIP: there is a trick that will save you from a few picks and you wont have to specify a cutting edge
or a boundary line, etc. After issuing the command press ENTER twice and simply pick the object(s)
you want Trimmed, Extended, etc.
BREAK
Command line: Break; BR
Menu: Modify> Break
Tool button:
The BREAK command lets you create a break or a cut portion on a line, arc, circle, etc without the aid of
cutting edges to perform the command.
Breaking Lines
1.
2.
27
On the same Tutorial drawing file (Tutorial21), you are going to break the circumference of the circle.
Breaking circle or closed entities differ from normal breaking of simple lines or arcs.
Issue the break command. When prompted to select objects, choose circle 1.
The same procedure, type-in F to specify the first point and press ENTER.
At the command line:
Enter first point: SNAP NEAREST to point 2.
Enter second point: Going to the right (clockwise) of the first point,
SNAP NEAREST to point 3.
5.
6.
7.
As you can see, the one that got broken was the large arc formed
during the breaking process (Fig. 44).
Now repeat the command and perform the BREAK at a counterclockwise (right left) direction choosing point 4 5 respectively.
Now the one that got broken was the smaller arc (Fig. 44).
Fig. 44
CHAMFER
Command line: Chamfer; Cha
Menu: Modify> Chamfer
Tool button:
AutoCAD allows you to create angles on corners of rectangles, polygons, or simply corner of two converged or
intersecting lines. The chamfer command has several sub-choices.
Subcommands:
CHAMFER
(Trim mode) Current chamfer Dist 1 = 10.00, Dist 2 = 10.00
Polyline/ Distance/ Angle/ Trim/ Method/ <Select first line>:
1.
28
EP1
Line 1
EP2
Line 2
Line 3
EP4
Line 4
EP3
Fig. 45
2.
On fig. 45 you are going to connect EPI and EP2 by using the chamfer command.
3.
by pressing ENTER.
4.
Press ENTER again, the command will be repeated. At the command line:
Polyline/ Distance/ Angle/ Trim/ Method/ <Select first line>:
5.
6.
Continuing from the same figure (Fig. 45) you are going to cut the corner to become angled.
Repeat step 3. But at the
Enter first chamfer distance: Type-in 300, press ENTER.
Enter second chamfer distance <300>: <300> is set current, so simply confirm it.
3.
Select line 1.
Select second line: select line 3.
Chamfer distance
4.
5.
FILLET
Command line: Fillet; F
Menu: Modify> Fillet
Tool button:
The fillet command allows you to round specifying a radius, to which the corner is rounded.
Note: Both chamfer and fillet when given a 0.00 distance or radius respectively can edit
corners with protrustious or unfinished corners.
Filleting lines with Radius Zero
1.
2.
3.
Continue from the previous exercise or OPEN Tutorial22 from the CD-ROM or diskette.
On fig. 45 you are going to connect lines 3 and 4 by using fillet.
Issue the fillet command. At the command line.
Polyline/ Radius/ Trim/ <Select first object>: Type in R (radius) and
press ENTER.
Enter fillet radius <10.00>: Type in 0.00 and press ENTER.
4.
Press ENTER again. Fillet command will be repeated. At the command line.
Polyline/ Radius/ Trim/ <Select first object>: Select EP 3.
Select second object: Select EP 4.
5.
6.
30
1.
2.
3.
4.
Press ENTER again. Fillet command will be repeated. At the command line:
Polyline/ Radius/ Trim/ <Select first object>: Select Line 2
Select second object: Select Line 4
5.
6.
Fig. 49
Fillet radius
EXPLODE
Command line: Explode; X
Menu: Modify> Explode
Tool button:
Polygons, Rectangle, Blocked objects are single entities. So that you can select blocked objects individually
(by its individual parts), you need to explode it to become separate entities.
Exploding Blocks*, Polygons, Rectangles, etc.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
First issue the ERASE command. When prompted to select objects pick the
watercloset (blocked object), rectangle, and polygon one by one. Youll
notice that the whole object becomes highlighted. This is because each of
the object is a single entity (Though they are composed of several line
segments)
Remember not to confirm the erase command, rather press ESCAPE (ESC).This will cancel the
command.
Now issue the explode command. Then select all objects and confirm.
Oncemore issue the erase command.
Pick any part of the watercloset, rectangle or polygon. You will notice that the line you pick is the only one
highlighted. This is because the objects have been separated into individual entities or the block was
overridden.
* To be discussed on Chapter 10 (Preparing your blocks library)
Fig. 51
31
Fig. 52
Modifying Colors
Though this process of assigning and modifying color is not recommended, you will still have to learn this
because there are certain circumstances that you cannot avoid modifying the original color of an entity.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Fig. 54
32
OPEN Tutorial24b from CD-ROM or Diskette. On Fig. 54b, there are four polygons each assigned on a
different layer.
Fig. 54b
NOTE: Both the Octagon (8) and Parallelogram were created on Layer 0.
2.
3.
4.
5.
You are going to change the Octagons layer to Layer1 and the
Parallelogram to Layer2.
Issue the CHANGE PROPERTIES command, select the Octagon then
confirm the selection.
The Change Properties dialog box will be displayed (Fig. 54c).
On the dialog box, click the LAYER button, the SELECT LAYER dialog box
will be shown (Fig. 54d).
Fig. 54d
Fig. 54c
6.
7.
Select Layer1 and click OK. Click OK again. (The Octagon shall inhibit the color of the Dodecagon (12),
meaning that they are now on the same layer).
Now change the Layer of the Parallelogram to Layer2 on your own.
Issue the CHANGE PROPERTIES command, select the ARC and confirm.
On the CHANGE PROPERTIES dialog box (Fig. 54f), click LINETYPE
button.
Fig. 54f
Fig. 54g
5.
On the SELECT LAYER dialog box (Fig. 54g), choose GAS_LINE and click
OK.
33
6.
7.
8.
Click OK again.
Repeat the procedure and change the Linetype of the POLYLINE to
CENTER and the CIRCLE to DASHED.
The result shall look like Fig. 54h.
Fig. 54h
REDRAW
Command line: Redraw; R
Menu: View> Redraw
Tool button:
The REDRAW2 command quickly refreshes or cleans up the current viewpoint or
drawing area without updating the drawing database. The command cleans up
temporary markers like BLIPS (the small crosses created when you pick.)
Redrawing Exercise
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
REGEN
Command line: Regen; RE
Menu: View> Regen
Tool button: None
34
The REGEN3 command updates the drawing screen display by re-computing the screen coordinate
from the database.
Regenerating Drawings
1.
Any time you want during an AutoCAD session you can issue the regen command. (through command
line or view menu)
Note: Issuing Regen on large drawings is not advisable because it would take very long for the
computer to recompute the database. In effect efficiency of your work is hampered.
ZOOM
Command line: Zoom; Z
Menu: View> Zoom
Tool buttons:
In AutoCAD they have given you the power to view your drawings easily. There
are different modes of zooming, which will be, explained one by one.
ZOOM Realtime
Command line: Z, press ENTER; R
Menu: View> Zoom> Realtime
Tool buttons:
Zoom Realtime is the latest addition to AutoCAD zoom command. This mode of Zoom lets you interactively
zoom in and zoom out of your drawing. The Zoom Realtime tool button can be found on the Standard Toolbar.
Zooming Realtime
1.
2.
3.
Press and hold the left mouse while moving the mouse upward. Then
release the Mouse button. (This allows you to ZOOM-IN).
Fig. 56
5.
Press and hold the left mouse button while moving the mouse downwards. Release the M. button. (This
allows you to (ZOOM-OUT).
6.
You can either press ESC or ENTER to exit the command, or you can also issue a
right click to activate the pop up menu. For this case issue the right click. A pop up
menu on Fig. 57 will be shown.
7.
Fig. 57
35
ZOOM ALL
Command line: Zoom; Z, press ENTER, Type All or A, press ENTER
Menu: View> Zoom> All
Tool button:
The zoom command creates a view of all entities on your drawing area.
3.
Issue the zoom command and press ENTER at the command line:
All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale(X/P)/Window< Realtime):
4.
Type A (All) and press ENTER. Your drawing should look the same as Fig. 59.
Fig. 59
36
ZOOM DYNAMIC
Command line: Zoom; Z, press ENTER, Type D and press ENTER
Menu: View> Zoom> Dynamic
Tool button:
ZOOM DYNAMIC lets you dynamically ZOOM IN or OUT on a drawing by letting you interactively adjust the
zoom magnification.
Zooming Dynamically
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
On Fig. 60 you will see a green hidden line forming a rectangle (that rectangle was your previous zoom
magnification) and a black rectangle with an X on its center (that is the adjustable zooming window).
Issue a left click. Move your cursor left to right. As you can see, the black rectangle changes its current
size.
Once you are satisfied with its size, issue a left click again.
Now move the window to your desired area where you want to ZOOM-IN and do a right click. Youll be
ZOOMED-IN to that area right away.
ZOOM EXTENTS
Command line: Zoom; Z, press ENTER, Type E and press ENTER
Menu: View> Zoom> Extents
Tool button:
The ZOOM EXTENTS is like the ZOOM ALL command except that the drawing area will be magnified to show
the whole drawing with its outer most edges touching the rim of the graphics window.
Zooming to Extents
1.
2.
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Fig. 61
3.
Fig. 62
ZOOM PREVIOUS
Command line: Zoom or Z; press ENTER; Type P and press ENTER
Menu: None
Tool button:
The ZOOM PREVIOUS lets you zoom back to previous views.
Fig. 63 Zoom and Pan Realtime pop-up menu.
Fig. 64
2.
4.
Here you really need not issue W to start the windowing. Pick points 1 and 2 and you are done.
PAN Realtime
Command line: Pan; P
Menu: View> Pan
Tool button:
The PAN command allows you to shift the view of the drawing by doing a dragging like motion on
your drawing. This will allow you to view other parts of your drawing without changing magnification
level.
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There are several types of panning option at view menu. But the rest of the panning options are
needless to discuss if you know how to PAN REALTIME.
Fig. 65 Zoom and Pan Realtime pop-up menu.
Panning Realtime
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Place the cursor at the center of the screen. Hold the left mouse button then move the mouse to the Left
to right or up and down (Remember hold the left mouse button). Notice what happens. Release the button
if you are satisfied with the room you want to view.
At the command line:
Press ESC or ENTER to EXIT, or right-click to activate pop up menu. Issue the right-click. The same
pop up menu as with ZOOM REALTIME will be displayed. On the menu you could switch to zoom
and other zoom options for convenience, you could also EXIT the command.
UNDO
Command line: U
Hot key: [Ctrl] + [Z}
Menu: Edit> Undo
Tool button:
The UNDO command is most probably the command often used. The UNDO
command lets you return back to the previous drawing that in case you are not
satisfied with the changes you have done to your drawing.
NOTE: You can UNDO everything you have modified on existing drawings. Meaning you have unlimited
UNDOs not like the previous AutoCAD releases, you can revert back to the original drawing by simply undoing
repeatedly you reach the original saved drawing.
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NOTE: You cannot UNDO on a freshly opened saved drawing unless you made any modifications to the
saved drawing after opening.
REDO
Command line: REDO
Hot Key: [Ctrl] + [Y]
Menu: Edit> Redo
Tool button:
The REDO command lets you REDO undone commands.
NOTE: To REDO undone commands, you must follow UNDO with REDO immediately. If another
command gets between REDO and UNDO, REDO will be disabled.
Fig. 67
INQUIRY Distance
Command line: Dist; Di
Menu: Tools> Inquiry
Tool button:
The inquiry distance command lets you measure distances which you are not familiar with. This commands lets
you inquire on distances for use when establishing reference points.
Sub commands:
Fig. 68 The Inquiry commands.
Inquiring Distances
1.
2.
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Fig. 69
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3.
At the command line: (You should see similar values at the command line)
Distance=3800, Angle in XY plane=0.00, Angle from XY plane=0.00
Delta X=3800, Delta Y=0.00, Delta Z=0.00
Look at the command line and look for: distance = 3800 from the list of measurements.
5.
Repeat the command execute and execute on Line 2 and Line 3 on your own, see if you can determine
the length of the other two lines.
Reference:
L 2 = 4263.80
L 3 = 2700
Summary
On this Chapter we delivered to you several of the very basic commands in AutoCAD. As you noticed from the exercises
you encountered, there were commands with several sub-choices or subcommands. Some menu commands were not
discussed like the Bonus and the Help menus. Some Menus and its commands will be discussed on later chapters like
the dimension menu.
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1
2
3