AutoCAD is a vector based drawing application intended for engineering purposes.

Commands can be entered at a command line or through toolbars and menus. DWG Files AutoCAD drawings are saved using the DWG extension, and over the years this has become a standard format for exchanging technical drawings, to the extent that even programs such as Adobe Illustrator will recognize DWG files. AutoCAD also supports an even more widely recognized format called DXF which was specifically designed as an interchange format. Unfortunately, as AutoCAD has passed through numerous editions, the DWG format has upgraded to keep pace with newer features. The most recent format was released with AutoCAD 2012 and any files saved using this format cannot be opened by AutoCAD 2011, 2010, 2009 etc.

Basic drawing Commands

Point Creates a symbol on the drawing that is tied to a specific point. It is defined by coordinates (x,y,z). It is not necessary to create points when you want to draw other geometric entities. Line Like it says. The user defines two points and AutoCAD constructs a line between them. Shortcut "l" .... Construction line tools Ray = A line with a defined starting point with infinte length at a specified slope. Xline = An infinite line with no start or end point at a specified slope. Base point can be snapped with middle point snap mode. Shortcut "xl" Polyline Polylines are the main business of most drawings. A polyline is made of numerous lines/arcs/or both segmented together into one selectable object. Polylines are quite versatile and the PEDIT (Polyline Edit) command can be used to access & edit many of the features associated with them. Shortcut "pe" Polygon Polygons are regular, multisided shapes such as pentagons, hexagons etc. When this tool is employed, AutoCAD requests the number of sides desired and then asks whether the shape is to be defined as sitting on a circle of specified radius, or by the length of a side. The objects created from this command become "Closed Polylines" and can be edited using PEDIT. Rectangle This is basically a quick way of drawing a four-segment polyline with four right angles. Shortcut "rec"

Arc An arc is a circle segment. When using this tool the user can define the arc by selecting three points through which AutoCAD will generate an arc, or alternatively the user can define a center point, a radius and a range of degrees to fill. Circle The only variables here are radius and centre point. Shortcut "c" Spline Splines are a particular form of curve generated by specific mathematical equations. The user can select as many vertices as they wish, and AutoCAD will generate a spline curve that incorporates all these points. Splines are generally used for cosmetic purposes, as their mathematical complexity makes them hard to define from a technical design perspective. Shortcut "spl" Ellipse Basically an oval. Similar to a circle, except ellipses require a radius to be defined for both their vertical and horizontal components. Shortcut "el" Hatch Hatches are area fills. They can be made up of a solid colour, a gradient (in later versions of AutoCAD) or more usually a specific pattern. Hatches can be applied to a particular object such as a looped polyline, or any enclosed area. They can be (and usually should be) defined as being "associative" which means that if the area in which they are contained is adjusted, the hatching will update automatically. Text Inserts a text string into the drawing. AutoCAD uses two forms of text entry, single line and multiline. These are known respectively as DTEXT and MTEXT. DTEXT is very much a leftover from AutoCAD's early years and there is no real justification for using it's very basic system when the MTEXT option has features similar to a conventional text editor.you may also select command TEXT for undefined area.

Basic Editing Commands

Erase Erases the selected object from the drawing. Can also be activated by pressing the delete key on the keyboard. Shortcut "e" (not very helpful because there is delete key) we also erases the objects by selected objects for example. select the objects which you want to erase and then select the erase tool and press key enter

Copy Copies the selected object from one point on the drawing to one or more locations. The user defines two points and the object is copied using these two positions as base points. For example, the user could select 100,100 as the first point and 100,200 as the second point. This would place the copy 100 drawing units above the first. Points can either be entered using the keyboard or by clicking anywhere in the drawing. Shortcut "cp"/"co" Mirror Creates a mirror image of the selected object. The user defines two points, along which autocad generates a "line of reflection" and the reflected object is generated across this line with all components reversed. The user is then asked if they want to keep or delete the original. One problem with the mirror command is that if any text is included in the mirroring operation, it too is reversed making it unreadable and ridiculous. To fix this, type "MIRRTEXT" at the command line and change the value to 0. Shortcut "mi" Offset An offset is like a copy but is more precise and must be used for certain situations as the result is likely to be slightly bigger or smaller than the original. For example, consider a line that represents the edge of a road. This line contains several curved segments, and you would like to make a copy of this line to represent the opposite side of the road. A direct copy won't work, because the radius of the inside of a curve is much tighter than on the outside. The offset command allows you to simply define how far away and on which side you would like the copy to be made, and AutoCAD will take it from there. Shortcut "o" Array An array is a quick way of doing a lot of copying, as long as all the copies are arranged in a simplistic way. There are two types of array; polar and grid. For a polar array, Autocad asks the user how many copies they want to make, and requests a centre point and a number of degrees to fill. AutoCAD then sweeps round this centre point making copies of the selected object in a circular pattern. For a grid array, the user selects how many rows and columns they require, as well as the spacing between them and AutoCAD instantly duplicates the selected object(s) as many times as necessary. Shortcut "ar" Move Works exactly the same as the copy command except the original is deleted. Shortcut "m" Rotate The user selects the object(s) to be rotated, a centre point, and defines the number of degrees to revolve through. The original is deleted, so if a copy is desired the polar array tool should be used. Shortcut "ro" Scale

The object(s) are selected, and a base point and scaling factor are defined. An easy way of changing a drawing from metres to milimetres is to scale everything up by a factor of 1000.

5.) INTRODUCTION TO AUTOCAD

5. (a) DRAWING FOLLOWING FIGURES USING AUTOCAD

AutoCAD is a CAD software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting. It is

developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers, notably the IBM PC. At that time, most other CAD programs ran on mainframe computers or mini-computers that were connected to a graphics computer terminal for each user. AutoCAD derived from a program called Interact, which was written in a proprietary language (SPL) and ran on the Marin chip Systems 9900 computer (Marin chip was owned by Autodesk cofounders John Walker and Dan Drake.) When Marin chip Software Partners (later renamed Autodesk) formed, they decided to recode Interact in C and PL/1 They chose C because it seemed to be the biggest upcoming language. In the end, the PL/1 version was unsuccessful. The C version was, at the time, one of the most complex programs in that language. Autodesk even had to work with the compiler developer (Lattice) to fix certain limitations to get AutoCAD to run.[1] Early releases of AutoCAD used primitive entities lines, polylines, circles, arcs, and text to construct more complex objects. Since the mid-1990s, AutoCAD has supported custom objects through its C++ Application Programming Interface (API). Modern AutoCAD includes a full set of basic solid modeling and 3D tools. With the release of AutoCAD 2007 came improved 3D modeling, which meant better navigation when working in 3D. Moreover, it became easier to edit 3D models. The mental ray engine was included in rendering, it was now possible to do quality renderings. AutoCAD 2010 introduced parametric functionality and mesh modeling.

Applications of AutoCAD:Mechanical: - Design of machines elements, Robotics etc Automotive: -Kinematics, Hydraulics, Steering. Electrical: - Circuit Layout, Panel Design. Communication: -Comm. Network, TV Telecasting. Civil: -Mapping, Contour Blotting, Building drawing. Architectural: -Town Planning, Interior Decoration . Aerospace:-Design of Space craft ,Flight Simulator.