DraftSight Master Series

Introduction
Learning Resources
Tips & Tricks
Support Services
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WELCOME TO THE
The DraftSight community more than 1.6 million users and growing.
DraftSight users represent a mix of professionals, educators, and students from a wide range of companies, industries and educational institutions. What DraftSight users share, is the desire to maximize their design skills and the DraftSight Masters Series was designed to help them do just that. This Series, brought to you by The Lyons Share, features a collection of tips, tricks, videos, webinars and more from DraftSights training guru, Mark Lyons. Its a one-of-a-kind instructional resource for designers at every skill level. We hope youll find this valuable and encourage you to share it with your colleagues and friends.
Introduction Video
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DraftSight Master Series
Volume 1
Introduction
DraftSight Facts
DraftSight is a professional-grade, free* 2D CAD product from Dassault Systmes. DraftSight highlights: You can create, edit, view DWG files Takes less than a few minutes to download Supports Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (General Release), MAC and Linux. (MAC and Linux are currently in Beta) Affordable Premium services available Over 1.8 million users More than 79,000 FB fans
Learning Resources Tips & Tricks
Are you a fan yet? Available in 12 languages New features and updates introduced frequently Offers access to free community support
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Standalone license. Activation required.
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Learning Resources
The Learning Resources that youll discover in this chapter, with the exception of the Getting Started Guide are video-based and take just a few minutes to view.
DraftSight Getting Started Guide
Getting Started with DraftSight
Check out the DraftSight Getting Started Guide. A free resource designed to get you up and running with DraftSight in no time.
Outside the U.S.: Fax: Email: Web:
+1-978-371-5011 +1-978-371-7303 info@solidworks.com http://www.solidworks.com/education
Download PDF of guide
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Introduction
User Interface
Understanding the User Interface is an important element of learning how to use DraftSight. This is an introduction to the design of the product screen, and the communication between the user and DraftSight.
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Make Block Tutorial
Creating custom blocks is an important feature in DraftSight. This Make Block Tutorial is designed to help you get started creating and inserting blocks in your drawing.
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Introduction
Setting up your Mouse on the Mac

With DraftSight available for the Mac, its important to set up your mouse correctly. Watch this Setting up your Mouse for DraftSight on the Mac Tutorial for helpful information when using a Mac.
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Mouse Gesture
The Mouse Gesture is a way of combining pointing device movements and clicks which DraftSight recognizes as a specific command. Mouse gestures can provide quick access to common functions of a program. They can also be useful for users who have difficulties typing commands.
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Introduction
Create Your Own Custom Toolbars

Customizing your user environment to increase productivity is key for any proficient user. With DraftSight, you can create your own custom toolbars as a way of increasing your productivity by grouping commonly used commands into one specific tool bar.
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ETracking and Polar Tracking
Using the power of DraftSight to assist in geometry creation will enhance your productivity. Learning how to use ETracking and Polar Tracking will save you time, and help you be a more productive DraftSight user.
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Introduction
The System Setup Tutorial

Before you start using DraftSight, make sure you customize your user environment. The System Setup Tutorial will assist you in creating a user friendly work space.
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Trapezoid Command
A fresh new command in DraftSight is the Trapezoid Command. A Trapezoid is a four sided figure with one pair of parallel sides. Use the Trapezoid command to draw a 2D conical entity. The Trapezoid is created as a PolyLine entity.
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Introduction
DraftSight and Lets Go Design

In this episode of Lets Go Design, Jeremy uses DraftSight to help his productivity. Watch this video, DraftSight and Lets Go Design, to see how he was able to use 2D legacy data to help create the design of his field of play.
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3D ContentCentral
Although DraftSight is a 2D product, we invite you to download virtually anything you need for your design layout at 3D ContentCentral. Most models contained at 3D ContentCentral are available to download as a 2D .DWG file.
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Introduction
Linear Dimension Tutorial

The Linear Dimension Tutorial command creates horizontal, vertical, and rotated linear dimensions. Follow this video and learn more about this function.
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Hatch/Fill
Use the Hatch/Fill command to fill enclosed areas or specified entities with a hatch pattern. Hatching a drawing adds meaning and helps to differentiate the materials and areas. Some drawing applications, such as construction drawings, require hatch patterns which can increase the clarity and legibility of a drawing. Along with patterns, you can apply solid hatches to fill in a bounded area with any color by selecting Fill in the Hatch type dialog.
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Introduction
Tool Matrix
DraftSight for Windows is now in general release. With that, there are some exciting new features that have been implemented. One such feature is the Tool Matrix. The Tool Matrix is a user interface that behaves like other palettes, such as the Properties Palette or the Reference Palette.
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Relative Command
When using DraftSight, we often need to locate a point in the Graphics area relative to another point. The rectangle command is an excellent example. Once you have located your first point, you need to specify the second point relative to the first one. Use the Relative Command input to do this.
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Introduction
DraftSight for the Architectural Industry

With its layering functionality and the ability to specify units as Architectural, DraftSight is a great way to provide your customers with professional grade drawings. They can download DraftSight for free at DraftSight.com and view your drawings.
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Tips and Tricks

The tips and tricks that youll discover in this chapter will take just minutes to review and could have a dramatic impact on your productivity.
MATCH LAYER TIP:

You can change entities to match a destination Layer. To match the Layer of entities to a destination Layer click Format > Layer Tools > Change Entitys Layer (or type MatchLayer). In the graphics area select Entities with layer changes and press Enter, or select an entity on the destination Layer or specify the Layer Name option and select a Layer in the Choose New Layer dialog box.
MOVE INSTEAD OF COPY:

What to do if you Move instead of Copy: If you Move an object instead of Copying it, dont panic. Use the Copy@ command and copy the object using 0,0 as a reference point. Then Undo your Move until the object is back in its original position. Use the Paste command with a reference point of 0,0 and youll have your copy and your original object.
FIND AND REPLACE TIP:

Use the Find command to find and replace text in your document. At the command prompt, type Find. Using the Find and Replace dialog, you can select the text to be replaced in your document. Find will even locate text within a block and modify the block to include the new text!
DELETE LAYER TIP:

The DeleteLayer command will delete all entities on a specified layer and remove the layer from the drawing. This is a quick way of removing unwanted layers and its associated geometry. Click Format>Layer Tools>Delete or type DeleteLayer at the command prompt. You can choose the layer by specifying an entity or by typing its name.
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Introduction
FLIP COMMAND TIP:

Use the Flip command to create a mirror copy of entities, deleting the source entities. The command contrasts to the Mirror command in that entities do not remain in their original positions when they move across the mirror axis. Instead they maintain the same relative position to the symmetry axis, but flip about the specified mirror axis. You can define the reflection axis freely by specifying two points. Use ortho mode to force the mirror line to be parallel to the X- or the Y-axis of the coordinate system. To Flip drawing entities type Flip at the command prompt.
Learning Resources
COPY@ TIP:
Use the Copy@ command to copy selected entities and a reference point from the drawing onto the Windows clipboard. From the clipboard, you can paste the entities into open drawings using the Paste and PasteAsBlock commands. The entities selected with Copy@ remain on the clipboard until you place new entities on the clipboard.
Tips & Tricks
Note: The Copy command copies entities in the drawing from a specified base point to target points within the drawing, but not to the clipboard. To Copy the clipboard with a reference point: Click Edit>Copy with Reference Point (or type Copy@)
ENTITY PRE-SELECT:
To disable entity getting highlighted when hovering the cursor over it, from the menu, select Tools > Options > User Preferences > Drafting Options > Entity Selection > Pre-selected highlighting > uncheck the option of Between commands.
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COMMAND WINDOW DISPLAY:

Pressing Ctrl + 9 will toggle the command window display on and off.
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MID BETWEEN POINTS OPTION:

To draw a center line exactly between two other parallel lines, type L (or line). When prompted to Specify start point, press Shift+Right-mouse click in the graphics area. Then, select the Mid between two points option. Next, select the two endpoints of the original parallel lines. Repeat method for the other endpoint of line. When drawn, select the new Line and change its LineStyle to Center or Dashdot.
SPELLCHECK TIP:
You can check the spelling inside your DraftSight Drawing. Type SpellCheck at the command prompt. In the graphics area, select the Text entities to check and press <Enter>. The SpellCheck dialog box appears if DraftSight finds a spelling mistake. You can choose to Ignore, Ignore All, Change, Change All and even Look Up a word to find Synonyms.
OPENING AND REPLACING DRAWINGS:

The ReplaceOpen and ReplaceNew commands replace the current drawing with a new one. In effect, these commands close the current drawing, and then display a dialog box for opening another drawing. If necessary, you are prompted to save the drawing being closed.
SAVE ALL DRAWINGS AT ONCE:

Use the SaveAll command to save the drawing in the current window and all other open drawings. To save all open drawings: Type SaveAll. Opened drawings are saved under the location, name, and file type specified when they were opened. If a drawing is unnamed, the Save File dialog box opens so you can set the location, name, and file type.
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Introduction
ERROR CHECK AND CLEAN:

Are you opening a .dxf file or using a DWG file that you did not create? If you are, it is good practice to perform a Check and Clean. The Check command is a diagnostic tool for examining the current drawing and correcting errors. For any error detected, a description is provided in the command window The Clean command removes unused References from the drawing.
Learning Resources
MOUSE NAVIGATIONS:
Use your mouse to easily navigate around in your drawing. Double-click middle-mouse button (MMB) to do a Zoom > Extents (works ViewPoints on Layouts, too). Press and hold the MMB to start the Pan command. If you have a wheel mouse, use it to zoom in and out and center the zoom at the same time (DraftSight will use your cursor for the center of the zoom). And lastly, click and hold Shift+MMB to start the RollView command.
EXPORT DRAWING:
Use the ExportDrawing command to create a DWG file from a Block. Go to File>Export>Export Drawing. In the dialog select Block as the source and from the drop down list, select the Block that you want to export. Use the Browse button to select where you want the new DWG file created. You can also export any entities in a drawing to a new DWG file using the ExportDrawing command.
Tips & Tricks
OPTIONAL FORMAT:
If you need to bring the contents of a drawing into a graphics program (like Corel Paint Shop Pro) and you need the image to be scalable, use the Print command to create an SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). Since SVG files are XML-based, many graphics programs support this format.
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GET AREA:
You can use the GetArea for perimeter information, too. If you have several closed polygonal shapes, and you need the combined length of the perimeters, use GetArea. Type GETAREA > A >select shapes > press Enter. If you cant see the results in the Command window, press F2 to launch the text screen.
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Support Services
DraftSight is more than just a professional-grade, 2D CAD product, it offers added value with affordable fee-based support services for enterprise and education users.
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Includes: Telephone support Email support Network license Access to DraftSight APIs and API updates Access to online community support and an abundance of learning resources
CAMPUS/ CLASSROOM PACK

DraftSight Premium Pack for education offers significant value.
Includes: Telephone support Email support Network license Comprehensive curriculum Access to DraftSight APIs and API updates Access to online community support and an abundance of learning resources Options: Classroom Pack: 45 Licenses Campus Pack: 200 Licenses
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Introduction
How valuable is DraftSight and its support services compared to your current or planned 2D CAD investment? Take just a few minutes to conduct a complimentary ROI analysis that will reveal the significant savings your company can achieve using DraftSight and Enterprise services.
Learning Resources
Free Community Support

The online DraftSight Community provides easy access to the guidance, counsel and support of thousands of CAD users from around the world. Their experience and know-how is complemented by a wide array of online training videos, tutorials and instructional materials. For answers to your specific questions, there is an iQuestions forum. Join the free online community.
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Introduction

Tips & Tricks

The Lyons Share

The Lyons Share