Content

Introduction .......................................................................................................... 2
1. Basic objects geometry ................................................................................. 3
2. Main drawing commands ............................................................................... 4
3. Objects properties .......................................................................................... 46
4. Auxiliary tools. ................................................................................................ 57
Bibliographic referencess ................................................................................... 64
Document control .................................................................................................. 65
Introduction

With this learning material the apprentice will be able to find needed information to
continue with the construction of his/her knowledge about commands and used
tools in AutoCAD 2D to make drawing projects adapted to the required design.

Within the topics you will find the description of the basic design entities, the
handling, the geometry and the objects properties, which implies understanding
the information of each of them, in accordance to terms of its functionality and
execution requirements.
1. Basic objects geometry

A project design requires the intervention

and combination of entities like lines, circles,
texts and many more. That's why the
management of these entities has a great
importance in the drawing results, since in
the union of the simple objects, the
construction of pieces and complex projects
is achieved.

The knowledge and the tools management

will be the beginning of an outstanding
result when simple objects are being made.
 2. Main drawing commands
They are located in the tool bar "Home", at the top of the interface, it can be
accessed in a fast way from the established drawing commands to get access to
other required entities in the design execution process:
Drop down tab of Draw tools

The most required tools in design are:

2.1 Line

Create a series of contiguous line

segments. Each segment is a line
object that can be edited separately.
The following prompts are displayed.
Specify first point: Sets the starting
point for the line. Click a point location.
With object snaps or grid snap turned
on, the points will be placed precisely.
You can also enter coordinates. If
instead, you press Enter at the prompt,
a new line starts from the endpoint of
the most recently created line, polyline,
or arc. If the most recently created
object is an arc, its endpoint defines the
starting point of the line. The line is
tangent to the arc.
Specify next point: Specifies the
endpoint of the line segment. You can
also use polar and object snap tracking
together with direct distance entry.

Close: Connects the first and last

segments

Example of usage:

Select the line tool with any of the

methods:
By Icon, when typing the command
name or in the menu by its abbreviation
(L), then click ENTER.
To generate the drawing, specify the
starting point typing the coordinates 0,0
on the keyboard.

With the ORTHO option the drawn lines

will facilitate the displacement in the
axes X Y.
Note: this does not mean that lines with
a different angle can't be drawn.

Moving the cursor to the required

direction, the values requested by the
design will be included. To give an
example, a rectangle of dimensions
100mm will be made, starting with the
Y axis (positive, up), the first value of
100 mm and the key ENTER.

Moving the cursor on the X axis

(positive, right), enter the value of
100mm again and the ENTER key.
Moving the cursor on the Y axis
(negative, down), enter the value of
100mm again and the ENTER key.

Type C and press Enter key, to close

the drawing.

Result:

Exercise:
With the command LINE make the following drawing.
Note: the letters are symmetrical.
2.2 Pline

Creates a 2D polyline, a single object

that is composed of line and arc
segments.
The following prompts are displayed.
Specify start point: Sets the starting
point for the polyline.
 A temporary plus-shaped marker
displays at the first point.
 Pressing Enter starts a new polyline
from the last endpoint specified in
creating a polyline, line, or arc.
Specify next point: If you specify a
second point, you create straight
segments.
 If you enter a (for Arc), you create
arc segments.
Halfwidth: Specifies the width from the
center of a wide segment to an edge.

Width: Specifies the width of the next

segment.

Some things to keep in mind when

defining the half-width or width of a
polyline.
 The starting width becomes the
default ending width.
 The ending width becomes the
uniform width for all subsequent
segments until you change the width
again.
 The starting and ending points of
wide line segments are at the
centerline of the segment.
Typically, the intersections of adjacent
wide polyline segments are beveled.
 No beveling is performed for
nontangent arc segments, very
acute angles, or when a dot-dash
linetype is used.

Line-Only Prompts
Arc: Begins creating arc segments
tangent to the previous segment.
Length: Creates a segment of a
specified length at the same angle as
the previous segment. If the previous
segment is an arc, the new line
segment is tangent to that arc segment.

Arc-Only Prompts
 Endpoint of arc: Completes an arc
segment. The arc segment is
tangent to the previous segment of
the polyline.
 Angle: Specifies the included angle
of the arc segment from the start
point.
Entering a positive number creates
counterclockwise arc segments.
Entering a negative number creates
clockwise arc segments.

Center: Specifies an arc segment

based on its center point.
Note: For the Center option of the
PLINE command, enter ce; for the
Center object snap, enter cen or center.
Linetype Pattern: The PLINEGEN
system variable controls how linetype
patterns generate around the vertices of
a 2D polyline.
 0 Generates linetypes that start and
end with a dash at each vertex of the
polyline
 1 Generates linetypes in an
uninterrupted pattern through the
vertices of the polyline

Example of usage:

Select the polyline tool with any of the

methods: by the icon, by writing the
name in the command line or within the
menu by its abbreviation (PL).

To generate the drawing, specify the

starting point typing the coordinates
(0,0) on the keyboard.

For the length use: It is necessary to

write the rest of the coordinates as
follows:
1) 0,100
2) 100,100
3) 100,0
4) 0,0
Having as a result a rectangle drawn up
with a single line and it is recognized as
a single object too, unlike the previous
example where four lines were used to
make the same rectangle.

This command has other characteristics

like: arc, medium width, length, back
and width.
The command with the abbreviation PL
is selected.

To generate the drawing, specify the

starting point when typing the
coordinates 0,0 on the keyboard.

To use the characteristics of the Arc:

to handle ARC characteristics, the letter
A must be written.
This enables different options to
manage the arc command like: angle,
center, direction, half width, line, radius,
second point, undo and width.

For the example, the arc radius is

selected with the command (R) giving
the value of 200 and pressing the
ENTER key
And an angle of 45 º , then press the
ENTER key.

For the use of the width characteristics:

to handle the WIDTH of the polyline, the
letter W must be written.

It is necessary to specify the initial width

for which the value 0 must be given.

Specify the final width for which the

value 50 must be given, which will
generate the contiguous graphic

Exercise:
With lines and arcs based on the polyline tool make the following drawing. The
letter is symmetric.
2.3 Circle

Creates a circle.
The following prompts are displayed.
Center Point: Creates a circle based on
a center point and a radius or diameter
value.
Radius: Enter a value, or specify a
point.

Diameter: Enter a value, or specify a

second point.
3P (Three Points): Creates a circle
based on three points on the
circumference.

Tan, Tan, Tan: Creates a circle tangent

to three objects.

2P (Two Points): Creates a circle

based on two endpoints of the diameter.

TTR (Tangent, Tangent, Radius):

Creates a circle with a specified radius
and tangent to two objects.
Sometimes more than one circle
matches the specified criteria. The
program draws the circle of the
specified radius whose tangent points
are closest to the selected points.
Example of usage:

Select the Circle tool with any of the

methods: by icon, by writing the name
of the command or within the menu by
its abbreviation (C), then press ENTER
key.

To generate the drawing, specify the

starting point typing the coordinates 0,0
on the keyboard.

The new requirement is the diameter.

Give a value of 100 mm.

The option 3P must be chosen to use

baselines for drawing If the circle is
required to pass through three different
points
It is necessary to select the three points
for the circle to pass: Click on the grips
that are shown as the small green
boxes. It will give as a result the
required circle

Exercise:
Use circles to make the following symmetrical drawing

2.4 Arc

To create an arc, you can specify

combinations of center, endpoint, start
point, radius, angle, chord length, and
direction values. Arcs are drawn in a
counterclockwise direction by default.
Hold down the Ctrl key as you drag to
draw in a clockwise direction.
Center: Starts by specifying the center of
the circle of which the arc is a part.
Start point: Specify the start point of the
arc.
End point: Using the center point (2),
draws an arc counterclockwise from the
start point (1) to an endpoint that falls on
an imaginary ray drawn from the center
point through the third point (3).
The arc does not necessarily pass
through this third point, as shown in the
illustration.

Chord length: Draws either a minor or a

major arc based on the distance of a
straight line between the start point and
endpoint.
If the chord length is positive, the minor
arc is drawn counterclockwise from the
start point. If the chord length is negative,
the major arc is drawn counterclockwise.

End: Starts by specifying the endpoint of

the arc.
Center point: Draws an arc
counterclockwise from the start point (1)
to an endpoint that falls on an imaginary
ray drawn from the center point (3)
through the second point specified (2).
Angle: Draws an arc counterclockwise
from the start point (1) to an endpoint (2),
with a specified included angle. If the
angle is negative, a clockwise arc is
drawn.
Included angle: Enter an angle in
degrees or specify an angle by moving
the pointing device counterclockwise

Center: Specifies the center of the circle

of which the arc is a part.
Start point: Specify start point of arc.
End point: Draws an arc
counterclockwise from the start point (2)
to an endpoint that falls on an imaginary
ray drawn from the center point (1)
through a specified point (3).

Angle: Draws an arc counterclockwise

from the start point (2) using a center
point (1) with a specified included angle.
If the angle is negative, a clockwise arc is
drawn.

Tangent to last line, arc, or polyline:

Draws an arc tangent to the last line, arc,
or polyline drawn when you press
ENTER at the first prompt.
Example of usage:

Select the Arc tool with any of the

methods: by icon, by typing the name of
the command or within the menu by its
abbreviation (A) followed by the ENTER
key.

Three point arc: used to make the arc

line pass through three known points,
selecting the three point method, in order
to apply to the required points.

Select the green grips or boxes located

at the edges or at the required points for
the construction of the arc. The following
requests are shown:
Starting point: it draws an arc from three
points designated on the circumference
of the arc. The first point is the one of
origin (1).
Note: If the ENTER key is pressed
without specifying a point, the end point
of the last line or drawn arc will be used
immediately and the end point of the new
arc will be requested. This will create an
arc tangent to the last line, drawn arc or
polyline.
Second point: it specifies that the
second point (2) is a point on the
circumference of the arc.
End Point: It specifies the end point (3)
in the arc.
A three-point arc can be defined
clockwise or counterclockwise.

Start, center, end: used to make the arc

line pass through three known points.

The following requests are shown:

Starting point: it draws an arc from three
points designated on the circumference
of the arc. The first point is the one of
origin (1).
Center: It specifies the center of the
circle of which the arc forms part.
End Point: Specifies the end point (3) in
the arc.
Two arcs are drawn depending on the
direction in which it starts: 1, C, 2 or 2, C,
1.

Start, center, angle: it is used to make

the arc line pass through two known
points using an angle. In this case the
beginning, center and angle are known.
Starting point: it draws an arc from three
points designated on the circumference
of the arc. The first point is the one of
origin (1).
Center: it specifies the center of the
circle of which the arc forms part.
Angle: draws an arc counterclockwise
from the starting point (1) through a
center point (2) and a specified included
angle. If the angle is negative, an arc is
drawn in a clockwise direction.

Start, end, direction: it is used so that

the arc line passes through two known
points and a specific direction. In this
case we know the beginning the end and
a direction.

Starting point: the first point is the origin

point.
End Point: it specifies the end point (2)
in the arc.
Direction: it starts the tangent arc in a
precise direction. This option creates
arcs, either larger or smaller, clockwise or
counterclockwise from the starting point
(1) to an end point (2). The direction is
determined from the starting point.
Start, end, radius: it is used to make the
arc line pass through two known points
and a radius.

Starting point: the first point is the origin

point.
End Point: Specifies the end point (2) in
the arc.
Radius: draw the small arc
counterclockwise from the starting point
(1) to the end point (2). If the radius is
negative, the largest arc is drawn.

Center, start, length: used to make the

arc line pass through two known points
and one length.
Center: Specify the center of the circle of
which the arc forms part.
Starting point: the first point is the origin
point.
Length: Draw a smaller or larger arc as a
function of the straight line distance that
exists between the starting point and the
end point.
If the string length is positive, the smaller
arc is drawn counterclockwise from the
starting point. If it is negative, the major
arc is drawn in an anti-clockwise
direction.

Exercise:
With arcs make the following symmetrical drawing.

2.5 Rectang
Creates a rectangular polyline from the
specified the rectangle parameters
(length, width, rotation) and type of
corners (fillet, chamfer, or square).

The following prompts are displayed.

Current settings: Rotation = 0
Specify first corner point or
[Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Widt
h]: Specify a point or enter an option
First Corner Point: Specifies a corner
point of the rectangle.
Other Corner Point: Creates a rectangle
using the specified points as diagonally
opposite corners.
Area: Creates a rectangle using the area
and either a length or a width. If the
Chamfer or Fillet option is active, the
area includes the effect of the chamfers
or fillets on the corners of the rectangle.
Dimensions: Creates a rectangle using
length and width values.
Rotation: Creates a rectangle at a
specified rotation angle.
Thickness: Specifies the thickness of the
rectangle.

Example of usage:

Select the Rectangle tool with any of the

methods: by icon, by typing the name or
within the menu by its abbreviation (REC)
followed by the ENTER key.
To generate the drawing, specify the
starting point when typing the
coordinates 0,0 on the keyboard.

It is necessary to specify the other

corner. Write the values 100,100.

Chamfer: set the chamfer distances for

the rectangle.
Again the tool with the acronym (REC) is
called and the letter (C) of chamfer is
written.

Specify the chamfer to use in the first

corner of the rectangle and in the
second, the example mentions a value of
5 mm
Set the start point of the rectangle 0,0
and the end point with 100,100, to get the
next rectangle.

Elevation: Accurate elevation of the

rectangle.
Again the tool with the acronym (REC) is
called and the letter (E) of elevation is
written.
Object Height: Specifies the object
height of the rectangle.

Specify the elevation of the rectangle,

since it is always drawn at a height of 0,
in this case a height of 10 mm.

Set the start point of the rectangle 0,0

and the end point with 100,100, to get the
next rectangle.
Draw one in the 0 plane to check the
difference in drawing heights.

Splice - Fillet: determines the splice

radius of the rectangle.
Again the tool with the acronym (REC) is
called and the letter (F) of the splice is
written. The example includes a 10 mm
radius.
Determine the starting point of the
rectangle 0,0 and the end point with
100,100, to obtain the next rectangle with
10mm radius at its corners.

Exercise:
With rectangles make the following symmetrical drawing.

2.6 Ellipse

Creates an ellipse or an elliptical arc.

The first two points of the ellipse
determine the location and length of the
first axis. The third point determines the
distance between the center of the ellipse
and the end point of the second axis.
The following requests are displayed:
Axis endpoint: it defines the first axis
from its two endpoints. The angle of that
axis determines the angle of the ellipse.
The first axis can define the major or
minor axis of the ellipse.
Distance of another axis: it defines the
second axis, using the distance from the
midpoint of the first axis to the end point
of the second axis (3)

Rotation: Creates the ellipse by

appearing to rotate a circle about the first
axis
Move the crosshairs around the center of
the ellipse and click. If you enter a value,
the higher the value, the greater the
eccentricity of the ellipse. Entering 0
defines a circular ellipse.

Arc: create an elliptical arc.

The angle of the first axis determines the
angle of the elliptical arc. The first axis
can define the major or minor axis
depending on its size.
The first two points of the elliptical arc
determine the location and length of the
first axis.
The third point determines the distance
between the center of the elliptical arc
and the end point of the second axis.
The fourth and fifth points are the initial
and final angles.
Axis endpoint: it defines the starting
point of the first axis.
Rotation: it defines the difference in
length between the major and minor axis
of the ellipse by rotating a circle around
the first axis. The higher the value (from
0 to 89.4 degrees), the greater the
difference in length between the minor
and major axis.
Values between 89.4 degrees and 90.6
degrees are not valid because otherwise
the ellipse would appear as a straight
line. Several of these angle values
produce a mirror effect every 90 degrees.
Initial angle: it defines the first end of the
elliptical arc. The Initial Angle option also
switches between the Parameter and
Angle modes.
The mode determines how the ellipse is
calculated.
Parameter (specialized option): it
requires an angular input, but creates the
elliptical arc using the following
parametric vector equation for the angle
of each end point: P (angle) = c + a *
cos (angle) + b * sin (angle) where c is
the center of the ellipse, and a and b are
the negative lengths of its major and
minor axes, respectively.
Final parameter: it defines the final
angle of the elliptical arc using a
parametric vector equation. The Initial
parameter option changes between
Angle and Parameter modes.
The mode determines how the ellipse is
calculated.
Angle: it defines the final angle of the
elliptical arc. The Angle option switches
between the Parameter and Angle
modes.
The mode determines how the ellipse is
calculated.
Included angle: determines an included
angle starting at the starting angle.
Center: Creates an ellipse using a
center, the end point of the first axis, and
the length of the second axis.
Distances can be specified by clicking on
a location at the desired distance or by
entering a value for the length.

Distance of another axis: defines the

second axis as the distance from the
center of the ellipse or midpoint of the
first axis to the specified point.
Rotation: creates the ellipse with the
appearance of a circle rotating around
the first axis.
Move the cursor-cross around the center
of the ellipse and click. If a value is
entered, the larger the value, the greater
the eccentricity of the ellipse. The circle
is defined when 0 is Typed.

Example of usage:
Select the Ellipse tool with any of the
methods: by icon, by entering the name
of the command or within the menu by its
abbreviation (EL) followed by the ENTER
key.

To generate the drawing, specify the

starting point when typing the
coordinates 0,0 on the keyboard.
Specify the end point of the ellipse axis,
in the example, a value of 100mm is
given.

The distance of another axis with a value

of 20mm must be specified for the
example.

Axis, center: used for the ellipse to pass

through the distance of an axis and the
distance from the center.

It has guidelines such as the following:

Writing the (C) for the first point to be the
center of the ellipse

Choose the Lines midpoint.

Choose the axis end point.

Choose the distance to the other axis

Exercise:
With rectangles make the following drawing.
2.7 Hatch

Fill a closed area or selected objects with

a hatch pattern, a solid fill, or a gradient
fill.
When the ribbon is enabled, the Shading
Creation tab is displayed.
When the ribbon is off the Shaded and
Gradient dialog box is displayed.
If you prefer to use the Hatch and
Gradient dialog box, set the
HPDLGMODE system variable to 1.
If HATCH is entered in the command
prompt, the options are displayed.
To maintain hatch performance with
dashed hatch lines, choose a predefined
hatch pattern instead of loading and set a
dashed line type.
Several methods to specify the outlines
of a hatch can be chosen.
 Specify a point in the area between
 objects.
 Designate the objects included in an
area.
 Specify contour points using the Draw
from HATCH option.
 Drag a hatch pattern to an enclosed
area from a tool palette or
DesignCenter

Designate an internal point: it

determines an outline from existing
objects that form a closed area around a
specific point.

Designate Objects: it sets an outline

from selected objects that form a closed
area.

Example of usage:

Select the Hatch tool with any of the

methods: by icon, by typing the
command name, or within the menu by
its abbreviation (H) followed by the
ENTER key.
By default the selection of an internal
point of the object appears. Therefore,
select the points that are required to be
shaded.

Double click on the shaded area. A new

toolbar will appear, specific to the
management of this.
There are holes in the palette that are at
the top of the program interface, where it
is selected that meets the requirements
of the process.

Occasionally, the hash pattern has a

scale that is not harmonious with the
design, which is why the scale of the
hash pattern must be handled.

Another feature of Hash is the change of

direction, since sometimes it is necessary
to include an angle to the process of
collapse, which will change the final
perspective of the design.
In the example, the angle was changed
to 45° and the figure is shown as follows:
Exercise:
Use the HATCH tool to make the following design pattern.

2.8 Point

Create a point object.

Point objects can act as nodes to which
object references can be associated.
2D and 3D locations for a point can be
specified.
If the Z coordinate is omitted, the current
elevation is adopted. The PDMODE and
PDSIZE system variables control the
appearance of point objects.
MEASURE and DIVIDE create points
along an object.
Designate a point: it allows you to
specify the location of the point object.

Example of usage:
Select the POINT tool with any of the
methods: by icon, by typing the
command name or by the abbreviation
(PO) in the menu followed by the ENTER
key.

This tool only requires the assignment of

the points on drawing area with a click on
the screen with the message specify a
point.

The command also accepts coordinates,

for example:
1) 0.0
2) 0.100
3) 100,100
4) 100.0

To make points easier to perceive it is

necessary to go to the DDPTYPE
command to modify the appearance of
the points.

In this way, the generated points will be

visible.
Exercise:
With points make the following drawing.

2.9 Revcloud

To create a new revision cloud, select

two corner points, two polygonal points,
or drag the cursor.
It is also possible to convert an object
such as circles, polylines, splines, or
ellipses into a review cloud.
Use the revision clouds to highlight
portions of the drawing being examined.
The following requests are displayed:
First Corner Point: it lets us specify a
corner point of the rectangular review
cloud.
Opposite corner: allows you to specify
the opposite corner diagonally of the
rectangular revision cloud.
Invert Direction: reverses the direction
of the sequential arcs in the review cloud.
Start point: set the start point of the
polygon review cloud.
Next point: allows you to specify the
next point to define the polygon shape of
the revision cloud.
Arc length: its maximum length can not
be set to a value greater than three times
the minimum arc length.
Object: Specifies an object to convert to
a revision cloud.
Rectangular: Creates a rectangular
review cloud by taking the points
specified as diagonally opposite corners.
Polygon: Creates a non-rectangular
review cloud defined by three or more
points as vertices of the review cloud.

Example of usage:

Select the Revcloud tool with any of the

methods: by icon, by typing the
command name or in the menu, enter the
name of the command (REVCLOUD)
followed by the ENTER key.

By default the program requires to

specify the point of the first corner, which
must be assigned by mouse or
coordinates and then it is necessary to
specify the opposite corner.

To get the known revision cloud, it is

necessary to re-select the tool with the
name of the command (REVCLOUD) and
then the letter (F) followed by the ENTER
key.
To start the generation of the cloud you
must specify the starting point, when
typing on the keyboard the coordinates
0,0 or clicking on the screen where you
need to give the beginning. Then with the
movement of the mouse the object is
tracked which needs to be confined by
the cloud.
Note: depending on the movement rate
of the hand, it will change the size of the
generated arc, to less movement, shorter
arcs, greater movement, wider arcs;
When the creation of the cloud is
finished, it must be ended with the
ENTER key.

When the REVCLOUD command is

finished, a floating window will appear to
manage changes in the direction of the
arcs in the cloud.

Exercise:
With the command REVCLOUD, confine the following drawings, without the clouds
overlap each other.
2.10 Region

Convert objects that enclose an area

into 2D region objects.
Regions are 2D areas that are created
from closed flat loops of objects. Valid
objects are lines, polylines, circular arcs,
circles, elliptical arcs, ellipses, and
splines. Each closed loop becomes an
independent region.
All intersections and intersecting curves
are rejected.
REGION deletes the original objects after
converting them to regions, unless the
DELOBJ system variable is set to 0. If
the original objects were shaded, the
shadowing associativity is lost.
To restore the associativity, shade the
region again.
Once objects have been converted to
regions, it is possible to combine them in
a complex region by joining, subtracting,
or intersecting operations.
You can also create a region using the
CONTOUR command.
Example of usage:

Select the Region tool with any of the

methods: by icon, by typing the name of
the command or by the abbreviation
(REG) in the menu followed by the
ENTER key.

By default the program requires: select

the objects; For the AutoCAD program,
the easiest way to do the action is by
clicking on the top of the figure (top, right)
and the second click on the bottom
(down, left) (↙ - ↖), this action will select
the Elements covered by the green area.
If the action is performed in the opposite
way (up, left) to (down, right) (↘ - ↗), it is
likely that one of the features of the
drawing is outside the blue area selection
as identified in the figure.
After selecting all the objects it is
necessary to continue with the ENTER
key, to finish the execution of the
command.

At first glance the difference is not

noticeable but the region is already
generated, to be able to have a clearer
view, select the visual styles tool.

In the visual styles scroll bar, the Shades

of Gray tool is selected
The result is the set of entities that make
up the region.

Exercise:
Use the command REGION to convert entities
 3. Objects properties

3.1 Color

You can define the color of an object by

layer or by specifying its explicit color
regardless of the layer.
The assignment of colors per layer
facilitates the identification of each layer
of the drawing.
Explicit color mapping allows you to
make an additional distinction between
objects in the same layer.
All objects are created with the current
color, visible in the Properties palette,
and the Home tab in the Ribbon
Properties group when no objects are
selected.
If the current color is set to Per layer, the
objects will be created with the color
assigned to the current layer (white).
If the current color is set to per block,
objects will be created with color 7 (white
or black) until they are combined in a
block definition. When the block is
inserted in the drawing, it will show the
current color of those objects.
Among the range of color palettes you
can select to assign colors to objects, are
the following:
AutoCAD Color Index (ACI)
true color
PANTONE ® Colors
RAL ™ Classic and RAL Design color
books
DIC ® Color Guide
ACI Colors: These are standard colors
used in AutoCAD-based products. Each
color is identified by an ACI color index
number, consisting of an integer from 1
to 255.
There are only standard color names for
the colors identified 1 through 7. The
colors are assigned as follows: 1 Red, 2
Yellow, 3 Green, 4 Cyan, 5 Blue, 6
Magenta, and 7 White / Black.
Color Books: Several standard
PANTONE color books are included in
the product.
Other color books can also be imported,
such as the DIC color guide or the RAL
color sets.
If you also import user-defined color
books, you can increase the selection of
available colors.

Example of usage:
The easiest way to assign colors by
selecting entity.

Select the Color tool with any of the

methods: by typing the command name,
by its abbreviation (COL) or by icon.
Select the color

This is how the selected entities remain.

Exercise:
Assign color characteristics to the following drawing.
3.2 Line Types

Load linetypes and set the current

linetype.
Line Type Filters: Determines which line
types are displayed in the list of line
types.
Line types can be filtered depending on
whether they depend on external
references or whether objects exist that
refer to them.
Invert Filter: Displays line types based
on criteria opposite to those selected.
Line types that match the opposite
criteria are displayed in the list of line
types.
Load: Displays the Load or Reload
Linetype dialog box, which allows you to
load the selected linetypes from a
linetype file into the drawing and add
them to the linetype list.
Current: Sets the line type designated as
the current line type. Setting the current
line type in byLayer means that an
object will adopt the type of line that is
assigned to a particular layer.
If the line type option is set to ByBlock, it
means that an object will adopt the
CONTINUOUS line type until it is
grouped into a block. Whenever the block
is inserted, all objects will inherit their
linetype. The CELTYPE system variable
stores the name of the line type.
Delete: it deletes selected line types from
the drawing. Only unused line types can
be deleted. The line types ByLayer,
ByBlock and Continuous cannot be
deleted.
List of Linetypes: Displays linetypes
loaded according to the option specified
in Linetype Filters. To quickly assign or
delete all line types, right-click to the Line
Type List to display the context menu.
Line Type: Displays the names of the
loaded line types.
To rename a line type, choose the line
type, click on it and type a new name.
ByLayer linetypes, ByBlock, Continuous
and dependent on external references
cannot be renamed.

Example of usage:

Select the Line Style tool with any of the

methods: when entering the name of the
command, by its abbreviation (COL) or
by icon.
By default AutoCAD includes three types
of lines.
More types will be found in the Other
selection.
Load line styles: As different styles are
likely to be required than the default
contents, you need to load them into the
popup window by clicking the Load
option, more options will appear.

Clicking the required line, followed by the

OK option, the line will be enabled to be
used.

As it is already ready to be used, perform

the operation, selecting the lines that
need to be modified.

Select the Line Style tool with any of the

methods: type the command name, its
abbreviation (COL) or its icon.
Exercise:
Assign line style characteristics to the following drawing:

3.3 Line weight (LIN)

Sets the current line thickness, display

options, and units.
Line weight is a property mapped to
graphic objects, shading, directive lines,
and dimension geometry that results in
thicker and darker lines.
The current line weight is assigned to all
new objects until another line thickness is
set as current.
Display line weight: line weight can be
turned on and off in a drawing; In
addition, they are shown differently in the
model space and presentation in paper
space.
In the model space, the line weight of 0 is
displayed with the width of one pixel and
the rest of the line weight with a
proportional width in pixels.
The line weight display in model space
does not change with the zoom factor.
For example, a line weight value that is
represented by a width of four pixels is
always displayed with four pixels,
regardless of how much the drawing is
enlarged.
In a paper space presentation, the line
weight appears in real units and the line
weight display changes with the zoom
factor.

Example of usage:

Select the entities to change to modify

the thickness of the lines.

Select the Line weight tool with any of the

methods: when entering the name of the
command or by icon.
It is necessary to select a representative
weight to verify the change; That is why
the lines of 1.00 mm, are the most
optional for the example.

This is the result of the application of the

weight.
It can be verified when the printing pens
are scaled or by the following method:

In the same place of the tool for the

weight of the lines, select Dialog, Line
Width Parameters or Lineweightsettings.
By activating the line weight display or
displaylineweigth, the command action
can be checked on the screen.

Showing the next result on the screen.

Exercise:
Assign line weight characteristics to the following drawing.
 4. Auxiliary tools

4.1 Navswheel

Provides access to enhanced navigation

tools that can be quickly accessed with
the cursor.
The wheel tools are not selected in the
same way as the other commands:
Press a sector and drag it to use the
desired navigation tool. Release the
mouse button to return to the wheel and
switch navigation tool.
Right click on a wheel and click on
SteeringWheel Settings to access the
SteeringWheel Settings dialog box, which
allows you to control it.

2D navigation wheel.
Full navigation wheel.

Object display wheel (basic wheel).

Building visit wheel (basic wheel).

4.2 Pan
PAN shifts the view without changing the
direction or magnification of the display.
Place the cursor on the initial location
and press the left mouse button. Drag the
cursor to the new location or press the
wheel button or the middle mouse button
and drag the cursor to frame.

4.3 Zoom

Increases or decreases the magnification factor of the current viewport view.

Zooming in on a view can be changed by zooming in or out, which is similar to
zooming in or out with a camera.
If you use the ZOOM command, the absolute size of the objects in the drawing
will not be changed. Only the magnification factor of the view will be changed.
In a perspective view: ZOOM displays 3DZOOM requests.

The following requests are displayed:

Window Corner: Specify a corner of the area you want to magnify.
Opposite corner: Specify the opposite corner of the zoom area.
All: Zooms to display all visible objects
and visual aids.
Adjusts the magnification of the drawing
area to accommodate the extents of all
visible objects in the drawing, or visual
aids such as the grid limits (the LIMITS
command), whichever is larger.

Center: Zooms to display a view defined

by a center point and a magnification
value or a height. A smaller value for the
height increases the magnification. A
larger value decreases the magnification.
Not available in perspective projection.

Dynamic: Pans and zooms using a

rectangular view box. The view box
represents your view, which you can
shrink or enlarge and move around the
drawing. Positioning and sizing the view
box pans or zooms to fill the viewport
with the view inside the view box. Not
available in perspective projection.
To change the size of the view box, click,
resize it, and click again to accept the
new size of the view box.
To pan with the view box, drag it to the
location you want and press Enter

Extents: Zooms to display the maximum

extents of all objects.
The extents of each object in the model
are calculated and used to determine
how the model should fill the window.
Zoom Previous: Zoom shows preview.
You can reset up to 10 previous views.

Scale / Scale factor: Zooms to change

the magnification of a view using a scale
factor.
Enter a value followed by x to specify the
scale relative to the current view.
Enter a value followed by xp to specify
the scale relative to paper space units.
For example, entering .5x causes each
object to be displayed at half its current
size on the screen.

Entering .5xp displays model space at

half the scale of paper space units. You
can create a layout with each viewport
displaying objects at a different scale.
Enter a value to specify the scale relative
to the grid limits of the drawing. (This
option is rarely used.) For example,
entering 2 displays objects at twice the
size they would appear if you were
zoomed to the limits of the drawing..

Window: Zooms to display an area

specified by a rectangular window.
With the cursor, you can define an area
of the model to fill the entire window.

Object: Zooms to display one or more

selected objects as large as possible and
in the center of the view. You can select
objects before or after you start the
ZOOM command.
Real Time: Zooms interactively to
change the magnification of the view.
The cursor changes to a magnifying
glass with plus (+) and minus (-) signs.
See Zoom Shortcut Menu for a
description of the options that are
available while zooming in real time.
Holding down the pick button at the
midpoint of the window and moving
vertically to the top of the window zooms
in to 100%.

4.4 Orbit

It rotates the view in a three-dimensional

space, but within a restricted horizontal
and vertical orbit.
3DORBIT activates a 3D orbit view in the
current viewport and the cursor icon
appears 3D Orbit.
You can't edit objects while active
3DORBIT.
If you drag the cursor horizontally, the
camera will move in parallel to the XY
plane of the universal coordinate system
(SCU).
If you drag the cursor vertically, the
camera will move along the Z axis. A
small sphere representing the focus
around which the view will rotate is
temporarily displayed.
When the command is active, right-click
to display more options in a context
menu. By default, if one or more objects
are selected before starting the
command, the visualization will only be
limited to these objects.
You can temporarily access 3D Orbit
mode. To do this, press the Shift key and
the mouse wheel, and then move the
cursor.
 Bibliographic referencess
AutoCAD de Autodesk Shortcuts, Guía de accesos directos http://static-
ww.autodesk.net/content/dam/estore/customer-
service/AutoCAD_Shortcuts_11x8.5_MECH-REV.pdf, consultado el 19 de
septiembre de 2016
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