AutoCAD

Student’s Handout

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Topics Page

AutoCAD Interface 1
Using the Mouse in AutoCAD 1
Keyboard Control Keys 2
Keyboard Function Keys 2
How to Execute AutoCAD Commands 3
Setting the Grid Drawing Limits/Paper Space 3
Coordinates 4
Direct Distance Entry 6
Selecting/De-selecting Entities 8
Object Snap (OSNAP) 9
Zoom Command 10
Layer Command 12
Object Properties 13
Draw Commands 14
Modify Commands 16
Dimension Commands 17
Introduction to Basic 3D Modeling 19
Pedit Command 20
User Coordinate System (UCS) 20
UCS Command Options 21
View Commands 24
Viewports Commands 25
Shademode Commands 26
Surface System Variables 27
Basic Surface Commands 28
Solid System Variables 32
Basic Solid Commands 33
Solids Editing Commands 35
3D Orbit Commands 37
Basic Plotting 38
Sample Drawings 40

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AutoCAD INTERFACE

Properties Toolbar Styles Toolbar

Title Bar
Pull-down Menu Bar
Standard Tool Bar
Layer Toolbar

Draw Tool Bar

Modify Tool Bar

Model Space

Command Icon

Crosshair

User Coordinate Scroll Bars

System (UCS) Layout Tab

Command Prompt
Window

Status Bar

Figure 1. AutoCAD Interface

USING THE MOUSE IN AutoCAD

Right Button:
· Enter or Short Cut Menu
· To repeat the previous command
· To end repeating prompts

Scroll Button:
· To zoom in,
zoom out and
zoom panning

Left Button:
· Pick or point button
· To specify a point position
or location

Figure 2. Computer Mouse

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KEYBOARD CONTROL KEYS

Ctrl + A - to turn ON/OFF Group Selection

Ctrl + B - to turn ON/OFF Snap
Ctrl + C - to copy object to Windows Clip Board
Ctrl + D - to turn ON/OFF Coordinates
Ctrl + E - to change Isometric Planes
Ctrl + F - to turn ON/OFF Osnap
Ctrl + G - to turn ON/OFF Grids
Ctrl + J - to execute last command
Ctrl + K - to invoke the Hyperlink command
Ctrl + L - to turn ON/OFF Ortho mode
Ctrl + M - to display DBConnect Manager Dialog Box
Ctrl + N - to create a new Drawing File
Ctrl + O - to open an existing Drawing File
Ctrl + P - to display the Plot Dialog Box
Ctrl + Q - to save the content of the Text Window to a Log File
Ctrl + R - to switch Viewports
Ctrl + S - to save current drawing
Ctrl + T - to turn ON/OFF Tablet
Ctrl + U - to turn ON/OFF Polar mode
Ctrl + W - to turn ON/OFF Object Snap Tracking
Ctrl + X - to cut clip selected objects
Ctrl + Y - to redo
Ctrl + \ - to cancel current command
Ctrl + [ - to cancel current command
Ctrl + 1 - to turn ON/OFF Property Dialog Box
Ctrl + 2 - to turn ON/OFF Design Center Dialog Box
Ctrl + 6 - to turn ON/OFF DBConnect Manager Dialog Box

KEYBOARD FUNCTION KEYS

F1 - Online Help
F2 - to switch between Graphics Screen to Text Window
F3 - to turn ON/OFF Osnap
F4 - to turn ON/OFF Tablet
F5 - to change Isometric Planes
F6 - to turn ON/OFF Coordinates
F7 - to turn ON/OFF Grids
F8 - to turn ON/OFF Ortho mode
F9 - to turn ON/OFF Snap
F10 - to turn ON/OFF Polar Tracking
F11 - to turn ON/OFF Object Snap Tacking
F12 - to turn ON/OFF Dynamic Input

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HOW TO EXECUTE AutoCAD COMMANDS

AutoCAD commands can be given in three ways: (1) use of pull-down menu bar; (2)
use of icon; (3) use of the keyboard. Once the command is given, one will be
prompted on the next step or required input data then press the Enter key to accept
the inputs. When the command prompts are completed, the command can be
terminated by pressing the enter key or the spacebar or the right button of the
mouse.

It is important for beginners to read the command prompt window because it shows
the step by step procedure to properly execute the commands (see Figure 3).

Command Line
Inputted Data
Command Prompt

Figure 3. Command Prompt Window

SETTING THE GRID DRAWING LIMITS/PAPER SPACE

Setting the grid drawing limits or paper space enables the user upon completing all
the drawings to determine if they will fit to the specified paper space. If not,
necessary adjustments should be made such as changing the drawing scale or the
size of the paper.

Sample Problem: Prepare the grid drawing limits/paper space of a short

bond paper (8.5” x 11”).

11” = 279.4 mm Upper right corner coordinates

(279.4,215.9)

8.5” = 215.9 mm

Lower left corner coordinates (0,0)

Figure 4. Coordinates and Dimensions of Short Bond Paper

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Solution:

Step 1. Set Drawing Limits

Command : LIMITS (Enter)

Prompts : Specify lower left corner or [ON/OFF] ‹0.0000,0.0000›:
(Enter).
: Specify upper right corner ‹12.0000,9.0000›: 279.4,215.9
(Enter).

Where: 279.4 and 215.9 are the x and y coordinates of the upper
right corner of the paper respectively.

Step 2. Set Grid and Snap Spacing

Command : GRID (Enter)

Prompt : Specify grid spacing (X) or [ON/OFF/Snap/Aspect]
‹0.5000›: 10.00 (Enter).

Where: 10.00 (variable) is the desired spacing between grid points.

Command : SNAP (Enter)

Prompt : Specify snap spacing or
[ON/OFF/Aspect/Rotate/Style/Type] ‹0.5000›: 10.0 (Enter).

Where: 10.00 (variable) is the desired snap spacing.

Step 3. Display Grid Points

Command : ZOOM (Enter)

Prompt : Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP),
Or [All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/
Scale/Window/Object] <real time>: All (Enter).

Then, press F7 to turn ON/OFF grid points.

COORDINATES

When prompted to specify a point location in a command prompt, the correct format
of the coordinates must be given. There are three types of coordinate system
formats. These are:

1. Absolute Coordinates – x and y coordinates with reference to 0,0

Format: x,y

2. Relative Coordinates – x and y coordinates with reference to the previous

point
Format: @x,y

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3. Polar Coordinates – distance and angle with reference to the previous point
Format: @distance<angle

Sample Problem:

1. Determine the absolute, relative and polar coordinate formats of points a

to f as shown in Figure 5.

2. Draw Figure 5 using the different coordinate formats.

6
c d
5

4 b e

1 a f

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Figure 5. Sample Drawing

Solutions:

1. Coordinate Formats

FORMAT
Point
Absolute Relative Polar
a 1,1

b 1,4 @0,3 @3<90

c 2,5 @1,1 @√2<45

d 5,5 @3,0 @3<0

e 6,4 @1,-1 @√2<-45

f 6,1 @0,-3 @3<270

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2. To draw Figure 5:

· Using Absolute Coordinates

Command : Line (Enter)

Prompts : Specify first point: 1,1 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Undo]: 1,4 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 2,5 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 5,5 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 6,5 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 6,1 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: C (Enter).

· Using Relative and Polar Coordinates

Follow the same procedure and input the correct formats of the
coordinates when prompted.

DIRECT DISTANCE ENTRY

Direct distance entry is a method to specify the succeeding point using the cursor to
track direction, and then inputting the distance value of the point. In this process,
the ortho or polar or dynamic mode needs to be turned ON.

Sample Problem: Draw Figure 5 using Direct Distance Entry

Solutions/Procedures:

· Using the Ortho and Polar tracking modes

When the Ortho mode is turned ON, the pointing device is limited to
input either horizontal or vertical distance relative to the current point.

When the Polar tracking mode is turned ON, a temporary alignment

direction will be displayed according to the defined polar increment
angle (see Figure 7).

Step 1. Turn ON the Ortho mode using the icon on the Status bar or
the function key F8. Take note that when the Ortho mode is
turned ON, the cursor can only be directed in either horizontal
(left and right) or vertical (top and bottom) directions.

Step 2. Command : Line (Enter}.

Prompts : Specify first point: Pick anywhere on the
model space.

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: Specify next point or [Undo]: Move cursor upward.
Type 3 which is the length of the line, then press
the Enter key.
: Specify next point or [Undo]: At this point, the next
line to be drawn is a 45 deg line with length equal to
1.41. Move cursor to Polar tracking icon on the
Status Bar, right click then select Settings. Change
the increment angle to 45 on the Drafting Settings
dialog box and press the Enter key. Turn ON the
Polar tracking mode. Move cursor and track 45
deg. Type 1.41which is the length of the next line,
then press the Enter key.
: Specify next point or [Undo]: Turn ON the Ortho
mode. Move cursor to the right, type 3 which is the
length of the next line, then press the Enter key.
: Specify next point or [Undo]: Turn ON the Polar
tracking mode. Move cursor and track 315 deg, type
1.41 which is the length of the next line, then press
the Enter key.
: Specify next point or [Undo]: Turn ON the Ortho
mode. Move cursor downward, type 3 which is the
length of the next line, then press the Enter key).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: C (Enter).
Value can be changed to Move cursor to track
required angle increment angles. A
temporary alignment
direction will be
displayed.

Figure 6. Drafting Settings Dialog Box Figure 7. Tracking Increment Angles

· Using Dynamic Input

Step 1. Turn ON Dynamic Input using the icon on the Status bar or the
function key F12. Once it is turned ON, the command prompt,
distance and angle windows are displayed on the model
space. Data can be entered in these windows (see Figure 8).
Press the Tab key to shift from one window to the other.

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Distance Command Prompt

Angle

Figure 8. Dynamic Input

Step 2. Command : Line (Enter)

Prompts : Specify first point: (Pick anywhere on the model space).
: Specify next point or [Undo]: 3 (tab) 90 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 1.41 (tab) 45 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 3 (tab) 0 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 1.41 (tab) 315 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 3 (tab) 270 (Enter).
: Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: C (Enter).

SELECTING/DE-SELECTING ENTITIES

Most editing commands will prompt to “select objects”. There are three ways to
select objects. These are:

1. Objects Selection – When prompted to select objects, the cursor turns into a
pick box. Pick (left click) the objects one by one then press the enter key.

2. Window – Create a selection window. The entire object to be selected must

be inside the selection window. Start from the upper left corner, press and
hold the left mouse button, then drag to pick the opposite corner. Press the
enter key when done with the selection.

3. Crossing – Create a selection window. Start from the lower right corner,
press and hold the left mouse button, then drag to pick the opposite corner.
All objects inside as well as those that intersect with the boundaries of the
selection window will be included in the selection. Press the enter key when
done.

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Circle and
Circle is Start Circle is Opposite Square are
Pick Box
selected point selected corner selected

Opposite Start point

corner

Object Selection Window Crossing

Figure 9. Methods of Selecting Objects

To remove erroneously selected object from the selection, press “U”, then enter.

OBJECT SNAP (OSNAP)

Object Snap (OSNAP) Mode

When the Object Snap mode is turned ON, common needed points of an object can
be automatically selected to create or edit a drawing. The OSNAP mode can be
turned ON and Off by pressing F3 function key or left click (toggle switch) on the
OSNAP icon

Basic Object Snaps

Figure 10. Basic Object Snaps

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Automatic Setting of OSNAP

Step 1. Move cursor to the OSNAP icon on the Status bar, then right click and
select Settings. The Drafting Settings dialog box will be displayed (see
Figure 11).

Step 2. On the Object Snap options, select the needed object snaps and click OK
when done.

Step 3. Turn ON the OSNAP mode using the OSNAP icon or F3 function key.

Figure 11. Drafting Settings – Object Snap Dialog Box

Manual Setting of OSNAP

When prompted to specify the next point, the different object snaps can be manually
selected by keying the first three letters of the object snap followed by the space bar.

Example: end + (space bar) = end of = endpoint

mid + (space bar) = mid of = midpoint
cen + (space bar) = center of = center point
qua + (space bar) = quadrant of = quadrant
per + (space bar) = per to = perpendicular
int + (space bar) = intersection of = intersection
etc.

ZOOM COMMAND

The Zoom command decreases or increases the magnification display of the objects
in the drawing area.

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Command : Zoom (Enter)
Prompt : Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or
[All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/Window/Object] <real time>:
Select desired zooming option.

Zoom Toolbar

Command Alias
Icon Command Name Description
(Shortcut)
Z (Enter)
W (Enter)
Zoom Window Pick from the left magnifies the windowed area
corner and box the
area to be magnified

Z (Enter) produces view window which can

Zoom Dynamic D (Enter) be zoomed and panned
Z (Enter)
S (Enter) magnifies the drawing based on
Zoom Scale Input a numeric
scale factor. Example:
desired numeric factor
0.5 (Enter)
Z (Enter) The point selected will be the center
C (Enter) of the display while the
Zoom Center Select center point and
enter a magnification factor. magnification factor will be the size
of the display.
Z (Enter)
O (Enter) magnifies selected object/s to the
Zoom Object
Select object to magnify extent of the display area

Icon-based command
Zoom In No shortcut increases magnification 100%

Icon-based command
Zoom Out No shortcut decreases magnification 50%
Z (Enter) shows all the drawings in the
Zoom All A (Enter) display area
Z (Enter) shows all the drawings wherein the
Zoom Extents E (Enter) entire display is occupied
Right click on the equivalent of scroll buttons and
Pan Realtime
drawing area and moves the view of the drawing
select Pan, right click without affecting the magnification
to exit when done

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Z (Enter) (Enter)
Or right click on the allows zoom-in and zoom-out by
drawing area and
Zoom Realtime select Zoom, right holding (“press-hold-drag”) the left
click to exit when mouse button
done
Z (Enter)
Zoom Previous displays previous magnifications
P (Enter)

LAYER COMMAND

Drawings and data can be grouped together and placed on separate layers. It is like
drawing entities of the same group on transparencies. They can be viewed
separately or in combination to show their relationship or complement each other.

For each layer, the object properties such as color, linetype and lineweight may be
assigned using the layer manager dialog box. It can be accessed through the Layer
Properties Manager icon.

Layer Toolbar/ Control Window

Icon Command Name Description

displays Layer Properties Manager
Layer Properties Manager dialog box
All drawings in an OFF layer will not be
Turn a layer ON/OFF (toggle shown on the screen but will remain
switch) active. Such drawings will still be
affected by any editing command.
All drawings in a FROZEN layer will not
Freeze/Thaw a layer (toggle be shown on the screen and will not be
switch) affected by any editing command.

All drawings in a LOCKED layer will still

Lock/Unlock a layer (toggle be shown on the screen but will not be
switch) affected by any editing command.

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OBJECT PROPERTIES

The object properties should be assigned first before drawing objects. The layer
where the entity will be drawn can be selected using the layer toolbar/control
window. While the color, linetype and lineweight are selected from the properties
toolbar/control windows.

Object properties can be edited by selecting the objects, then in the control windows,
one can select the new color, linetype and lineweight . Press the escape (Esc) key
when done.

Properties Toolbar/Control Window

Icon Command Name Description

Color sets color of the drawing

sets linetype of the

Linetype
drawing

sets lineweight of the

Lineweight
drawing

TEXT COMMANDS

Before placing text to the drawings, the text properties must be set first. This can be
done by selecting “text style” in the “Format” menu bar. Consequently, the text style
dialog box will be displayed. Assign the desired text properties, then, left click on the
Apply icon when finished.

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Format Menu Text Style Dialog Box

Figure 12. Setting Text Properties

The different text commands are:

1. DTEXT – used to create single line texts

2. MTEXT – used to create multiline texts

3. DDEDIT – used to edit single line or multiline text

DRAW COMMANDS

The Draw commands are used to create 2D geometric objects, shapes or forms.

Draw Toolbar

Command Alias
Icon Command Name Description
(Shortcut)

Line L (Enter) draws straight lines

Construction
XL (Enter) draws infinite lines
Line

draws one or more connected 2D line

Polyline PL (Enter)
or arc segments

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draws regular close polygon and the

Polygon POL (Enter)
boundaries are treated as a polyline

Rectangle REC (Enter) draws rectangular polyline

Arc A (Enter) draws an arc

Circle C (Enter) draws a circle

It draws revision cloud (sequential

arcs). Revision cloud is used to
Revision Cloud REVCLOUD (Enter)
highlight changes made to the
drawings.

draws smooth curve following the

Spline SPL (Enter)
sequence of the given points

Ellipse EL (Enter) draws an ellipse or elliptical arc

draws an elliptical arc using start and

Ellipse Arc EL (Enter)
end angles

Insert Block I (Enter) inserts a saved block file

Make Block B (Enter) creates a block file

Point PO (Enter) draws a point

fills up closed boundaries with hatch

pattern.
Hatch H, BH (Enter)
displays hatch and gradient dialog
box.

fills up closed boundaries with color

gradient pattern
Gradient H (Enter)
displays hatch and gradient dialog
box.

converts objects boundaries into a

Region REG (Enter)
region object

inserts table.
Table TB (Enter)
displays Insert Table dialog box.

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Multiline Text MTEXT (Enter) creates a single entity text paragraph

MODIFY COMMANDS

The Modify commands are used to edit or manipulate the shapes or forms of
drawings created by the Draw commands.

Modify Toolbar

Command Alias
Icon Command Name Description
(Shortcut)
Erase E (Enter) removes objects from a drawing

creates a single or multiple copy of

Copy CO, CP (Enter)
the source object
creates a mirror image of a drawing
Mirror MI (Enter) with reference to established mirror
line
creates a parallel copy of the
Offset O (Enter) source object at a specified
distance
creates multiple copy of the source
Array AR (Enter) object in rectangular of circular
pattern
moves selected object to a
Move M (Enter) specified distance and direction
from the original location
rotates selected object to a new
Rotate RO (Enter) angular orientation with reference to
a specified point
increases or reduces the size of
Scale SC (Enter) selected objects based on specified
scale factor or reference
elongates selected object to a
Stretch S (Enter)
specified direction

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cuts object beyond the specified

Trim TR (Enter) cutting edge. The cutting edge is
defined by another object.

Lengthen LEN (Enter) increases the length of a given line

Break at Point BR (Enter) separates object into two segments

cuts part of an object between two

Break BR (Enter) points or separates object into two
segments

Join J (Enter) connects two or more objects

Chamfer CHA (Enter) creates slanting edge at corners

Fillet F (Enter) creates rounded corner edges

Explode X (Enter) splits polyline and joined entities

DIMENSION COMMANDS

The Dimension commands are used to give the size descriptions of drawings.

Dimension Toolbar

Command Command Alias

Icon Description
Name (Shortcut)
Linear shows horizontal or vertical
DLI, DIMLIN (Enter)
Dimension dimensions
Aligned shows dimensions aligned to a linear
DAL, DIMALI (Enter)
Dimension objects
Arc Length DIMARC (Enter) shows dimensions of arc lengths
Ordinate shows dimensions of x,y or z
DOR, DIMORD (Enter)
Dimension coordinate of specified points
Radius shows dimensions of radius of circles
DRA, DIMRAD (Enter)
Dimension and arcs

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Jogged
shows dimensions of radius of circles
Radius DIMJOGGED (Enter)
and arcs in jogged format
Dimension
Diameter shows dimensions of diameter of
DDI, DIMDIA (Enter)
Dimension circles and arcs
Angular shows dimensions of angular
DAN, DIMANG (Enter)
Dimension orientation of lines, arcs and circles
Quick produces simultaneous linear
QDIM (Enter)
Dimension dimensions of selected linear objects
Baseline DBA, DIMBASE shows dimension from the baseline of
Dimension (Enter) the preceding or selected dimension

produces dimension with reference to

Continue
DCO, DIMCON (Enter) the second extension line of the
Dimension
previous or a selected dimension

produces a leader line with

Quick annotation to show additional
QLEADER (Enter)
Leader information pertaining to a selected
object
Tolerance TOL (Enter) produces geometric tolerances

produces center point symbol of

Center Mark DCE, DIMCEN (Enter)
circles and arcs
edits dimension’s numerical text
Dimension value in terms of content and rotation
DED, DIMEDIT (Enter)
Edit angle as well as the direction of the
extension lines
Dimension moves dimension’s numerical text
DIMTED (Enter)
Text Edit location
Dimension requires an option to update current
D, DIMSTYLE (Enter)
Update dimension style
Dimension
switches from one dimension style to
Style
another
Control
displays Dimension Style Manager to
Dimension create a new dimension style or
D or DIMSTY (Enter)
Style modify an existing dimension style

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INTRODUCTION TO BASIC 3D MODELING

A 3D drawing can be created using 3D surfaces or 3D solids or combination of both.

3D surface drawing is composed of 3D faces. 3D faces are hollow inside (see

Figure 13). The advantage of using 3D surface models is that the file size is smaller
compared to 3D solids. However, the drawing database of a 3D surface is not
mathematically complete. 3D surfaces do not have mass properties.

Figure 13. Examples of 3D Surface Models

A 3D solid drawing is filled up inside (see Figure 14), and can be edited using solid
editing commands. The volume, centroid, radius of gyration and other mass
properties can be obtained. However, the file size is bigger compared to a 3D
surface drawing.

Figure 14. Examples of 3D Solid Models

Basically, the principle of 3D drawing is to transform 2D polyline planes into 3D

using appropriate 3D commands.

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PEDIT COMMAND

PEDIT command alters polylines as well as converts non-polyline object boundaries

into a polyline. In 3D drawing, a plane bounded by non-polyline entities can not be
transformed into a 3D object.

To convert non-polyline boundaries into a polyline

Step 1. From the drawing shown in Figure 15, draw the source object using
line, circle and trim commands

Step 2. Command : PEDIT (Enter)

Prompts : Select polyline: Pick one entity from the boundaries.
: Do you want to turn it into one? <Y>: (Enter)
: Enter an option [Close/Join/Width/Edit
vertex/Fit/Spline/Decurve/Ltype gen/Undo]: J (Enter).
: Select objects: Select all boundaries, (Enter) (Enter).

Non-polyline Boundaries Polyline Boundaries

(Output after PEDIT
Command – All boundaries
are connected)

Figure 15. Non-polyline vs. Polyline Boundaries

USER COORDINATE SYSTEM (UCS)

3D UCS has three axes, the x, y and z. The length is parallel to the x axis, width is
parallel to the y axis and the height or extrusion direction is parallel to the z axis. It is
important to note that the source object can only be drawn on the xy plane (see
Figure 13).

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EXTRUDED
SOURCE OBJECTS

SOURCE
OBJECTS
SOURCE
OBJECT

UCS
UCS

Figure 16. 3D UCS

UCS COMMAND OPTIONS

Polyline source objects to be transformed in to 3D drawings are drawn parallel to the

different UCS Orthographic orientations such as top, front, left, right, back and
bottom.

Example : Draw the source objects parallel to UCS Orthographic – Top

and convert the same into 3D as shown in Figure 17.

Solution :

Step 1. From View Toolbar, pick SW Isometric.

Step 2. Command : UCS (Enter)

Prompt Option : G (Enter)
Orthographic Option : T (Enter)

Step 3. Draw the source objects as shown in Figure 17 using rectangle

and circle commands.

Step 4. Command : Extrude or (EXT) (Enter)

Prompts : Select Object to extrude: Pick the Circle (Enter).
: Specify angle of taper for extrusion: 15 (Enter).

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: Specify height of extrusion: 5 (Enter).

Step 5. Command : Extrude or (EXT) (Enter)

Prompts : Select Object to extrude: Pick the
Rectangle (Enter).
: Specify angle of taper for extrusion: 0 (Enter).
: Specify height of extrusion: 3 (Enter).

Extruded Output

Source Objects

Figure 17. Source Objects and Extrusion on UCS Top

Drawing on other UCS Orthographic Orientations - Follow the same procedure

and select the other orthographic options (front, left, right, etc) in Step 2. Outputs
are shown in Figure 18.

USC FRONT UCS LEFT UCS RIGHT

Figure 18. Drawing on Other Orthographic UCS

Likewise, the UCS can be oriented to directions other than orthographic by using the
UCS command options or the UCS toolbar.

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UCS Toolbar

Command Command Alias

Icon Description
Name (Shortcut)
controls the user coordinate system
UCS UCS (Enter)
options
Named UCS UCSMAN (Enter) displays UCS Manager Dialog Box
UCS (Enter)
UCS Previous restores previous UCS orientation
P (Enter)
sets current UCS to WCS which is
UCS (Enter) the basis for all user coordinate
UCS World
W (Enter) system. WCS is the same as UCS
TOP.
UCS (Enter) sets new UCS with reference to
Object UCS OB (Enter) selected object (the xy plane will be
Select source object. aligned with the selected object)
UCS (Enter) sets new UCS with reference to
FA (Enter) selected face of a solid object (the
Face UCS
Select face of a solid xy plane will be aligned with the
object. selected face of the solid object)
UCS (Enter) creates a new UCS with the xy
View UCS
V (Enter) plane parallel to the screen
UCS (Enter)
Origin UCS O (Enter) moves UCS to specified point
Specify new origin point.

UCS (Enter)
creates a new UCS in which the
Z Axis Vector Zaxis (Enter)
positive direction of the Z axis is
UCS Specify new origin point.
Specify positive direction defined.
of Z axis.

UCS (Enter)
3 (Enter) creates a new UCS in which the
Specify new origin point.
3Point UCS Specify positive direction positive direction of x and y axes
of x axis. are defined
Specify positive direction
of y axis.

UCS (Enter)
X Axis X (Enter) rotates yz plane about x axis
Specify rotation angle
about x axis.

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UCS (Enter)
Y Axis Y (Enter) rotates xz plane about y axis
Specify rotation angle
about y axis.

UCS (Enter)
Z Axis Z (Enter) rotates xy plane about z axis
Specify rotation angle
about y axis.

UCS (Enter)
A (Enter) use current UCS to selected
Apply UCS
Select viewport to apply viewport
current UCS.

VIEW COMMANDS

3D objects can be displayed in orthographic or isometric views.

View Toolbar

Icon Command Name Description

Named Views displays view manager dialog box

shows top face of an object

Top

shows bottom face of an object

Bottom

shows left face of an object

Left

shows right face of an object

Right

shows front face of an object

Front

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shows back face of an object
Back

shows SW isometric view

SW Isometric

shows SE isometric view

SE Isometric

shows NE isometric view

NE Isometric

shows NW isometric view

NW Isometric

shows camera view

Create Camera
(requires camera location and target point)

VEIWPORTS COMMANDS

Drawings are viewed and created on current viewport. Viewport is equivalent to a

paper space. The default viewports are the model space and the layout space. They
can be divided into multiple viewports (see Figure 19) to display the different views
of the same object in a single screen. Changes made on the drawing in one of the
viewports are simultaneously reflected in the other. A viewport can be activated to
become current, by picking (left click) at any point inside the selected viewport.

Figure 19. Viewports – 4 Equal

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Command : VIEWPORTS (Enter)

- Displays Viewports dialog box. Select the desired settings on the

parameter windows (see Figure 20).

Figure 20. Viewports Dialog Box

SHADEMODE COMMAND

Shademode command manages shading display of surface and solid objects in the
current viewport.

Shade Toolbar

Icon Command Name Description

shows boundaries of objects
in linear and curve forms as
2D Wireframe well as linetype, lineweight and
other object properties
shows boundaries of objects
in linear and curve forms
3D Wireframe as well as a shaded 3D UCS
and material color
shows objects in 3D
Hidden wireframe and hidden details
are not displayed

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shows objects flatly shaded
Flat Shaded

shows a realistic and

Gouraud Shaded smoother shaded
surfaces and edges

shows objects in combined

Flat Shaded, Edges On flat and wireframe modes

shows objects in combined

Gouraud Shaded, Edges On gouraud and wireframe
modes

SURFACE SYSTEM VARIABLES

The system variables that control wire frame in N and M directions generated by 3D
surface commands are Surftab1 and Surftab2.

Command : Surftab1 (Enter)

Prompt : Enter new value for SURFTAB1 <4>: 5 (Enter).

Command : Surftab2 (Enter)

Prompt : Enter new value for SURFTAB2 <4>: 4 (Enter).

The bigger the values of Surftab1 and Surftab2, the smoother curve surfaces would
become.

M direction
Surftab1 value is 5.

N direction
Surftab2 value is 4.

Figure 21. Surftab1 and Surftab2 Settings

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BASIC SURFACE COMMANDS

· 3DFACE Command – generates a flat surface with 3 or 4 sides.

Icon : (From Surface Toolbar)

Command : 3DFACE or 3F

Example: Output – Rectangular 3D Face (see Figure 22).

Step 1. Draw a rectangle (any dimension) on SW Isometric - UCS

Top.

Step 2. Command : 3DFACE

Prompts : Specify first point or [Invisible]: <Osnap on>: Pick point A.
: Specify second point or [Invisible]: Pick point B.
: Specify third point or [Invisible] <exit>: Pick point C.
: Specify fourth point or [Invisible] <create three-sided face>:
Pick point D.
: Specify third point or [Invisible] <exit>: (Enter).

Source Object 3D face output

from source object

Step 2

Step 1

Figure 22. Example of 3D Face Construction

· REVOLVE SURFACE Command – produces a revolved surface about an

axis.

Icon : (From Surface Toolbar)

Command : REVSURF

Example: Output – Round Table (See Figure 23)

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Step 1. Set SURFTAB1 and SURFTAB2 = 50.

Step 2. From the View toolbar, pick Front icon ( ), then draw the
source object based on the given dimensions.

Step 3. Covert the source object into a polyline using PEDIT

Command.

Step 4. Draw the axis of revolution.

Step 5. Command : REVSURF (Enter)

Prompts : Select object to revolve: Pick the source object.
: Select object that defines the axis of revolution:
Pick the line.
: Specify start angle <0>: (Enter).
: Specify included angle (+=ccw, -=cw) <360>:
(Enter).

Step 6. From View toolbar, pick SW isometric ( )

From Shade toolbar, pick Gouraud ( )
Axis of
revolution

Source
object
Source
object

Source Object
Final Output
Step 2 Step 4

Figure 23. Example of Revolved Surface Construction

· TABULATED SURFACE Command – produces a tabulated surface from a

path curve following a direction vector.

Icon : (From Surface Toolbar)

Command : TABSURF

Example : Output – Corrugated Sheet (see Figure 24)

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Solution :

Step 1. In the Format menu bar, pick point style. The Point Style
dialog box will be displayed. Select a visible point mark, then
click OK.

Step 2. In the View toolbar, pick Front icon ( ), then draw two parallel
lines.

Step 3. Divide the two given lines into 8 segments:

Command : Divide or (DIV) (Enter)

Prompts : Select object to divide: Pick line AB.
: Enter the number of segments or [Block]: 8.

Repeat the same with line CD

Step 4. Draw the path curve using Spline command and Node
OSNAP.

Step 5. Draw the direction vector z (line CD):

5.1. In the View toolbar, pick SW isometric ( )

5.2. Command : UCS (Enter)

Prompts : Enter an option [New/Move/
orthoGraphic/Prev/Restore/Save/
Del/Apply/?/World]<World>: G (Enter).
: Enter an option [Top/Bottom/Front/
BAck/Left/Right]<Top>: L (Enter).

5.3. Draw line CD, length equal to 10 (Ortho ON mode)

Step 6. Command : TABSURF (Enter)

Prompts : Select object for path curve: Pick the path curve
at a point near point C.
: Select object for direction vector: Pick direction
vector CD. Pick at a point near point C.

Step 2 Step 3

Step 1

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Direction Vector
Path Curve

Pick here Step 4

(PathPick
Curve) Step 5
here Pick here
(Path Curve) (Direction Vector)

Step 6

Output in Wiremesh Shaded Output

Figure 24. Example of Tabulated Surface Construction

· RULED SURFACE Command – produces a ruled surface between two

curves.

Icon : (From Surface Toolbar)

Command : RULESURF

Example : Output – A plane bounded by two parabolic curves (see

Figure 25).

Solution :

Step 1. In the View toolbar, pick Front icon ( ),

then draw two parabolic curves
using Line, Offset and Spline
commands.

Step 2. Set Tabsurf1 and Tabsurf2 equal to 50.

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Step 3. Command : RULESURF (Enter)
Prompts : Select first defining curve: Pick curve 1.
: Select second defining curve: Pick curve 2.

Wiremesh Output Shaded Output

Figure 25. Example of Ruled Surface Construction

SOLID SYSTEM VARIABLES

Solid system variables control 3D solid triangulations and isolines. They must be set
to desired values before drawing. Improper setting will affect quality of work.

· DISPSILH – manages silhouette curves display of solid objects in wireframe

and mesh suppression in hidden modes. It is recommended to set the value
to 1.

· ISOLINES – sets the number of visual elements of solid curves in wireframe.

The value can be is from 0 to 2047.

· FACETRES – improves the smoothness of curves in rendered, shaded and

hidden modes. The value is from 0 to 10.

Output when the Output when the

solid system solid system
variables are equal variables are equal
to the default values to the default values
of: of:
DISPSILH = 0 DISPSILH = 1
ISOLINES = 4 ISOLINES = 20
FACETRES = 0.05 FACETRES = 10

Figure 26. Solid System Variables Outputs

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BASIC SOLID COMMANDS

· Extrude Command – produces solid from two dimensional source objects by

assigning the extrusion height or path and tapering angle.

Icon : (From Solid Toolbar)

Command : EXTRUDE or (EXT)

Example 1 : Convert some 2D Primitives (square, circle and ellipse) into

3D models as shown in Figure 27.

Solution :

Step 1. In the View toolbar, pick Top icon ( ),

then draw a square, circle and an ellipse.

Step 2. In the View toolbar, pick SW isometric icon ( ).

Step 3. Command : EXT (Enter)

Prompts : Select objects to extrude: Pick the circle, square and
the ellipse.
: Specify height of extrusion or [Path]: Enter value, say 10.
: Specify angle of taper for extrusion <0>: 0 (Enter).

Step 4. In the shade toolbar, select Gouraud ( ).

Step 1

Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

Figure 27. Converting 2D Primitives Into 3D

Example 2 : Draw a round bar bended at 90 degrees (see Figure 28).

Solution :

Step 1. Set model space to SW isometric and UCS World. Draw a

circle with radius equal to 1.

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Step 2. Draw the path of extrusion:

2.1. Command : UCS (Enter)

Prompts : Enter an option: G (Enter).
: Enter an option: F (Enter).

2.2. Ortho - ON
Command : PL (Enter)
Prompts : Specify start point: Pick center of circle.
: Specify next point: Drag the cursor upward
towards positive Y direction, then enter value,
say, 5 (Enter).
: Specify next point: Drag the cursor upward
towards positive X direction, then enter value,
say, 5 (Enter) (Enter).

Step 3. Command : EXT (Enter)

Prompts : Select objects: Select the circle.
: Specify height of extrusion or [Path]: P (Enter).
: Select extrusion path: Select the polyline.

Step 4. Select Gouraud shade mode

Path

Source Object

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

Figure 28. EXTRUDE Using Path Option

· Revolve Command

Icon : (From Solid Toolbar)

Command : REVOLVE or (REV)

Example : Output – Cone-head Rivet (see Figure 29).

Solution :

Step 1. In the View toolbar, select Front icon ( ), then draw the half

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section of a cone-head rivet.

Step 2. Convert the half section (source object) into a polyline using
PEDIT command. Set the model space to SW isometric view
and UCS-Orthographic-Front.

Step 3. Command : REVOLVE or (REV) (Enter)

Prompts : Select objects: Select the source object (Enter).
: Specify start point for axis of revolution: Pick point A.
: Specify endpoint of axis: Pick point B.
: Specify angle of revolution <360>: (Enter).

Step 4. Select Gouraud shade mode.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

Figure 29. Sample of Revolve Command Output

SOLIDS EDITING COMMANDS

Solid editing commands are solid modifiers. These commands do not work on
surface drawings.

Solids Editing Toolbar

Command Name / Original

Icon After Editing Description
Alias Drawing

produces a solid entity

UNION / UNI
by addition

produces a solid entity

SUBTRACT / SU by subtraction

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produces a solid entity

INTERSECT / IN from the intersection
of two of more solids

extrudes selected
EXTRUDE FACES face/s following a
given height or path

displaces location of
MOVE FACES
selected face/s

offsets selected face/s

OFFSET FACES at a specified distance
and point

removes selected
DELETE FACES
face/s

rotates selected
face/faces at a
ROTATE FACES
specified rotation
angle

tapers selected face/s

TAPER FACES
at a specified angle

duplicates selected
COPY FACES face/s to a specified
location

assigns color to
COLOR FACES
selected face/s

duplicates selected
COPY EDGES edge/s to a specified
location

assigns color to
COLOR EDGES
selected edge/s

prints selected object

IMPRINT
to a solid

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removes unwanted
CLEAN
object/s from a solid

creates a thin wall and

SHELL
removes solid fill

3D ORBIT COMMANDS

3D Orbit commands allow an interactive view of the objects. These commands

display a pointing device that permits the objects to be viewed from different points.

· 3D Orbit

Icon : (From 3D Orbit Toolbar)

Command: 3DORBIT or 3DO (Enter)

When activated, an arcball compass and a pointing device are

displayed (see Figure 30). Place the pointing device to a
specified point. Left click and drag to view the objects in
different orientations. Right click to exit.

Arcball Compass

Figure 30. 3D Orbit Acrball Compass

· 3D Continuous Orbit

Icon : (From 3D Orbit Toolbar)

Command: 3DCORBIT or 3DO (Enter)

When activated, a pointing device is displayed. Place the

pointing device to a specified point. Left click and drag the

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mouse. The object will start to move towards the direction where
the mouse is being dragged. Release the left button, and the
object will continuously move in an orbital direction. Right click
to exit.

· 3D Pan, 3D Zoom, Perpective

While the 3DORBIT command is active, right click on the mouse

button to display the other 3D orbit options such as Pan, Zoom and
Projection (see Figure 31). Pan allows the objects to move from left
to right or top to bottom. The Zoom increases or decreases the
magnification. The Projection option gives a choice to view the objects
in parallel (isometric) or perspective view.

Figure 32. 3D Orbit Command Options

BASIC PLOTTING

A completed drawing can be printed as a single layout or in parts. Set the plotting
parameters on the plot dialog box (see Figure 33) which can be accessed using the
Plot command.

Icon :

Command : PLOT (Enter)

- displays Plot Dialog box

Plot Settings

1. Printer/Plotter. - Select configured printer or plotter

2. Paper Size. – Select desired size of paper from the list of standard
sizes
3. Plot Area. - Select from Display, Limits or Window

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· Display - All drawings displayed on the screen will be plotted.

· Limits - All drawings within the specified drawing limits will be

plotted.
· Window - All drawings that will be selected using window
selection method will be plotted
4. Plot Offset. - Set the location of the drawing from the left (x) and
bottom (y) edges of the paper. Select Center the Plot to place the
drawing at the center of the paper.

5. Plot Scale. - Select desired scale from the scale box. Plot scale
can also be customized. Drawings printed using Fit to Paper option
is a “not to scale” output.
6. Click OK when done.

Figure 33. 3D Plot Dialog Box

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SAMPLE DRAWINGS

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