autocad drawing commands

 

AutoCAD is a CAD (Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting) software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting. It was 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 which were connected to a graphics computer terminal for each user.

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.

AutoCAD supports a number of APIs for customization and automation. These include AutoLISP, Visual LISP, VBA, .NET and ObjectARX. ObjectARX is a C++ class library, which was also the base for products extending AutoCAD functionality to specific fields, to create products such as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or third-party AutoCAD-based applications.

Currently, AutoCAD only runs under Microsoft Windows operating systems. It is available in 32-bit and in native 64-bit versions. Versions for Unix and Mac OS were released in the 1980s and 1990s, but these were later dropped. AutoCAD can run on an emulator or compatibility layer like VMware Workstation or Wine, albeit subject to various performance issues that can often arise when working with 3D objects or large drawings.

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are available for English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Russian, Czech, Polish, Hungarian, Brazilian, Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Vietnamese. The extent of localization varies from full translation of the product to documentation only. The AutoCAD drawing commands set is localized as a part of the software localization.
 

Measuring Commands

GRID: Displays a grid of dots at a desired spacing on the screen.

Command:  GRID (enter)

On/Off/Tick spacing(x)/Aspect:  (enter value) (enter)

SNAP: Specifies a “round off” interval so that points entered with the mouse can be locked into                          alignment with the grid spacing.

Command:  SNAP (enter)

On/Off/Value/Aspect/Rotate/Style:  (enter value) (enter)

Basic Draw Commands

CIRCLE: Draws circles of any size.

Command:  Circle (enter)

3P/2P/TTR/<center point>:  (pick a center point)

Diameter or <Radius>:  (Pick a point on the circle)

 

LINE: Draws straight lines between two points

Command:  LINE (enter)

From Point:  (pick a point using the mouse)

To Point:  (Pick a point using the mouse)

To Point:  (Press return to end the command)

ARC: Draws an arc (any part of a circle or curve) through three known points.

Command:  ARC (enter)

Center/ < Start point > :  (pick the first point on the arc)

Center/End/ < Second point > :  C

Center:  (pick the arc’s center point)

Angle/Length of chord/ <End point > :  (pick the arc endpoint)

Display Commands

LIMITS: Sets the size of the drawing paper.  For size “A” drawing paper the limits should be set for                                               10.5 x 8.

Command:  LIMITS (enter)

On/Off/Lower left corner <0.0000> (enter)

Upper right corner: 10.5,8 (enter)

ZOOM: Enlarges or reduces the display of a drawing.

Command:  ZOOM (enter)

All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Left/Previous/Vmax/Window/<Scale(x/XP)>:

(pick a point to define one corner of a rectangular viewing window then pick a point to define                 the second point to define the opposite diagonal corner of the viewing window)

Note:  To return the picture to its original viewing size enter ALL and press the enter key when prompted instead of defining a window.

PAN:           Allows you to move your view point around the drawing without changing the magnification                 factor.

Command:  PAN (enter)

 

Editing Commands

CHANGE: Alters properties of selected objects

Command:  CHANGE (enter)

Select objects or window or Last (select objects to be changed)

Properties/<Change point>:  (type P)

Change what property (Color/Elev/LAyer/LType/Thickness)?  (type Layer)

New Layer:  (enter new layer name and press enter)

ERASE: Erases entities from the drawing.

Command:  ERASE (enter)

Select objects or Window or Last: (Select objects to be erased and press enter when finished)

EXTEND: Lengthens a line to end precisely at a boundary edge.

Command:  Extend (enter)

Select boundary edge(s)…

Select Objects  (pick the line which represents the boundary edge which lines will be extended                                         to)

(press enter when finished selecting cutting edges)

<Select object to extend>/Undo:  (pick the line(s) that need to be extended

TRIM: Trims a line to end precisely at a cutting edge.

Command:  Trim (enter)

Select cutting edge(s)…

Select Objects  (pick the line which represents the cutting edge of line in which objects will be                                              trimmed to)

(press enter when finished selecting cutting edges)

<Select object to trim>/Undo:  (pick the line(s) that need to be trimmed)

 

Grips

You can edit selected objects by manipulating grips that appear at defining points on the object.  Grips is not a command.  To activate grips simply pick the object.  Small squares will appear at various entity-specific positions.  By selecting an end grip you can stretch the entity to change its size.  By selecting the center grip you can move the entity to a new location.  To remove grips press CTL-C twice.  You can perform the following using grips: Copy, Multiple Copy, Stretch, Move, Rotate, Scale, and Mirror.

 

Creating Layers

LAYER: Creates named drawing layers and assigns color and linetype properties to those layers.

Command:  LAYER (enter)

A Layer & Linetype Properties dialog box will be displayed.  To add a new layer, pick the New button.  A new layer listing appears, using a default name of Layer1.  the layer name can be changed by highlighting the layer name.  Colors and Linetypes can be assigned to each new layer by picking the color box to assign a color and picking the linetype box to assign a line type.

Standard AutoCAD colors

1 = Red             2 = Yellow          3 = Green  4 = Cyan

5 = Blue             6 = Magenta       7 = White

Standard AutoCAD linetypes

Hidden2 = hidden lines

Center2 = center lines

Phantom2 = phantom or cutting-plane lines

 

 

Construction Commands

ARRAY: Makes multiple copies of selected objects in a rectangular or circular pattern

Command:  ARRAY (enter)

Select objects or Window or Last:  (select object to array)

Rectangular or Polar array (R/P) <current>: (P)

Center point of array:  (pick the point around which to form the array)

Angle to fill (+=CCW, -=Cw) <360>:  (enter)

 

COPY: Draws a copy of selected objects.

Command:  COPY (enter)

Select objects or Window or Last: (select objects to be copied)

Base point or displacement:  (pick a point on the object to be use as a reference point)

Second point of displacement:  (pick a point which represents the new location of the copied

object)

MIRROR: Makes mirror images of existing objects.

Command:  MIRROR (enter)

Select objects or Window or Last: (select objects to be mirrored)

First point of mirror line:  (pick a point on top of the mirror line)

Second point:  (pick a point  on the bottom of the mirror line)

Delete old objects? <N> y or n  (enter)

MOVE: Moves designated entities to another location.

Command:  MOVE (enter)

Select objects or Window or Last: (select objects to move)

Base point or displacement:  (pick a point on the object to be use as a reference point)

Second point of displacement:  (pick a point which represents the new location of the object)

OFFSET: Constructs an entity parallel to another entity at a specified distance.  Offset can be used with                                               lines, circles, arcs, and polylines.

Command:  OFFSET (enter)

Offset distance or Through <last>:  (enter a distance value)

Select object to offset:  (select object to offset)

Side to offset:  (Pick any point on the side of the object you wish to offset)

 

FILLET: Changes any corner to a rounded corner.

Command:  FILLET

Polyline/Radius/Angle/Trim/Method/ <Select first line > :  (pick the first line)

Select second line:  (pick the second line)

CHAMFER: Changes any corner to an angled corner.

Command:  CHAMFER

Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/Method/ < Select first line > :  (pick the first line)

Select second line:  (pick the second line)

OSNAP

Instantly locates exact points relative to existing objects (points).

Object Snap Modes:  Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, Quadrant, Intersection, Insertion, Perpendicular, Tangent,

Nearest, Node, and None.

Placing lettering on a drawing

TEXT: Draws text characters of any size.

Command:  TEXT (enter)

Justify/Style/<Start point>:  (pick a starting point or enter a justification letter)

Height (0)  (enter the height of the lettering)

Rotation Angle (0)  (enter)

Text:  (enter the desired lettering) (enter)

Summary of Options

<Start Point> Left-Justifies text along its baseline

Justify Justifies text according to the alignment options

Style Enters a new text style

Null reply Enters a new line of text below the previous text.

(space or Enter key will give a Null reply)

Text Alignment Options

Alignment           Abbreviation              Orientation

Aligned               A                             Aligns text between two points.  Text                                                                                     height will adjust automatically

Fit                     F                             Fits text between two points.  Text height                                                                               will not change

Centered            C                             Centers text at the baseline of a specified                                                                              point

Middle                M                            Centers text horizontally and vertically at                                                                                the baseline of a specified point

Right                 R                             Right Justify text at the baseline of a                                                                                     specified point

Alignment           Abbreviation              Orientation

Top Left             TL                           Left Justifies text at the top of text

Top Center         TC                           Centers text at the top of text

Top Right            TR                           Right justifies text at the top to text

Middle Left          ML                           Left justifies text at the middle of text

Middle Center      MC                          Centers text both horizontally and vertically                                                                         at the middle of the text

Middle Right        MR                          Right justifies text at the middle of text

Bottom Left        BL                           Left justifies text at the bottom of text

Bottom Center     BC                           Centers text a the bottom of text

Bottom Right       BR                           Right justifies text at the bottom of text

 

The SPELL command will check the spelling of a group of text.

Crosshatching a drawing "autocad drawing commands"

BHATCH: Allows the user to crosshatch areas of a section view.

Command:  BHATCH (enter)

The Boundary Hatch dialogue Box will be displayed.  Select the Hatch Options box.

The Hatch Options box will be displayed.  Select the Patterns box.

The Choose Hatch Pattern box will be displayed.  Select the desired hatch pattern.

The Hatch Options box will be displayed again.  You can select a scale and rotation angle for the crosshatch pattern.  Select the OK box when finished.

The Boundary Hatch dialogue box will be displayed again.  Select the Pick Points box.  When prompted select the internal point of the are to be crosshatched.  Press the enter key when finished.

The Boundary Hatch dialog box will be displayed again. Select the Apply box to add the crosshatching to the drawing.

 

AutoCAD Drawing Commands

 

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