Drawings using CAD

software
Produce simple engineering component drawings using CAD
software
MENU: FILE

EDIT
VIEW

INSERT
FORMAT

TOOLS
DRAW

DIMENSION
MODIFY

WINDOW
HELP

COMMAND LINE
OBJECT PROPERTIES: LAYERS NAMING

Click on the LAYER icon. Select NEW eight times to create layers one through eight. Click on
LAYER 1 under the heading NAME and rename Centreline. Repeat to complete layers two
through eight as per window above.

LAYER COLOUR

Click on the box under the heading COLOUR and select the colour you require for that layer.
Click OK and repeat.
LAYERS LINETYPE

Click CONTINUOUS under the heading LINETYPE and select the line type you require for
that layer. Click OK and repeat. Select LOAD for more line types. Select and click OK.

LAYERS LINETYPE CONT

LAYERS LINE WEIGHT

Click on DEFAULT under the heading LINEWEIGHT and select the line weight you require
for that layer. Click OK and repeat.

OBJECT PROPERTIES: LINE COLOUR

LINETYPE

LINEWEIGHT
FORMAT: TEXT

Click on FORMAT TEXT STYLE from the FORMAT drop down menu. Click NEW to create a
new text style. Type in new style name ARIAL 3.0. Click OK.

Click box under FONT NAME and select new font (Arial.shx). Repeat for FONT STYLE
(Regular) and HEIGHT (3.0).

To confirm selections click APPLY.

Create a second text style ARIAL 5. Font Name Arial, Height 5.

The first style Arial 3.0 will be used when assigning a font style to DIMENSIONING and the
second Arial 5 will be used for the TITLE BLOCK and HEADINGS.
FORMAT: DIMENSION STYLE

Click on FORMAT DIMENSION STYLE from the FORMAT drop down menu. Click NEW to
create a new Dimension style. Type in new style name LINEAR.
Click CONTINUE.
DIMENSION STYLE CONT

Alter the settings that differ to match those shown above. Then Move to NEXT Tab and
repeat.as shown in the following illustrations and once done click on OKAY then click SET
CURRENT and OKAY.
TOOLS: DRAUGHTING SETTINGS: OBJECT SNAP

The OBJECT SNAP finds high lights and snaps to a definitive point: ENDPOINT, MIDPOINT
etc. Object snap can be turned on and off as above or by (F) keys or by using the individual
icons positioned on the left hand bottom of the AutoCAD screen.
DRAUGHTING SETTINGS: SNAP AND GRID

Increments can be set using the GRID. These increments can be displayed on the screen.
Increments can also be set so the curser will SNAP to the set spacings. These are not
displayed on the screen. Snap and Grid can be set the same so the curser snaps to the
displayed grid. Both the Grid and Snap can be turned ON and OFF as above, or by (F) keys
or by using the individually buttons at the bottom of the AutoCAD screen.

The ISOMETRIC mode can be turned on from this screen.

The following are the function (F) keys that toggle these options and other options on and off:
F3 Osnap, F5 Isoplane, F6 Co-ords, F7 Grid, F8 Ortho, F9 Snap, F10 Polar, F11 Osnap
tracking.
TOOLS: OPTIONS

OPTIONS can be used to set your MOUSE, your SAVE TIMES, your SCREEN DISPLAY etc.
FILE: PLOTTING

Initial setup/or steps to PLOT. Select a PRINTER OR PLOTTER, select PAGE SIZE, select
AREA TO PLOT, NUMBER OF COPIES, select CENTRE THE PLOT, select PLOT SCALE,
select PLOT STYLE TABLE, and select DRAWING ORIENTATION.

IMPORTANT always PREVIEW to ensure the Print/Plot is correct. Click OK

RECOMMENDED LAYERS AND LINETYPE ASSIGNMENTS FOR
NEW LEARNERS

Layer Type Line Type Colour Thickness

Number (mm)

1 Centreline Centreline Red 0.18

2 Dimension Continuous Yellow 0.18

3 Hidden Hidden Green 0.18

4 Outline 1 Continuous White 0.35

5 Outline 2 Continuous Cyan 0.35

6 Title Block Continuous Magenta 0.50

7 Text Continuous Yellow 0.18

8 Section Continuous Blue 0.18

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