AUTOCAD

Introduction:
 CAD - Computer Aided Designing (Used for creation & modification of an
engineering design)
 AutoCAD is a CAD software developed by Autodesk, used for drafting of
engineering drawings and 3D modeling
 First release version-1982
GUI (Graphical User Interface):
 Interface elements includes:-
 Application Menu
 QAT(Quick Access Toolbar)
 Workspace Control Toolbar
o AutoCAD Classic (Menubar+Toolbars)
o Drafting & Annotation (Ribbon Interface)
 Graphics Area
o Model space- Infinite space to create model
o Layout space- To set data for output
 Command Prompt Window
 Status Bar
File Management:

1. New (Ctrl+N):
 To start a new file
 Select the default settings/template file
a. Imperial (Acad.dwt)
b. Metric (Acadiso.dwt)
2. Open (Ctrl+O):
 To open saved files
3. Save (Ctrl+S):
 To save files
 AutoCAD file type/extension: “.dwg”
4. Save As (Ctrl+Shift+S):
 To save a copy

Units [UN]:
 To set the drawing units
 Application menu → Drawing Utilities → Units
 Specify length & Angle type and precision → Insertion scale → Base angle
direction(direction control) → Ok

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Limits [limits]:
 To set the limits for model space
 limits←
 Specify the lower left & upper right corner coordinates
 Z← A←
 To turn “ON” limits, limits← Select “ON” option

CO-ORDINATE SYSTEMS:
Absolute Co-ordinate Systems:

 To locate points based on origin/UCS

 Format: x,y

Relative Co-ordinate Systems:

 To locate points based on last point

 Format: @x,y

Relative Polar Co-ordinate Systems:

 To locate points based on last point by specified angle

 Format: @distance<angle

DRAW COMMANDS (Home Ribbon → Draw):

Line [L]:

 To create line segments

 L←
 Specify first point → Specify second point(direction & distance)
 To obtain straight directions use Ortho mode(F8)
 To obtain specified angle directions “<angle ←”
 Line options:
o Close: To create a closing line
o Undo: To undo last line segment

Circle [C]:

 To create circular objects

 C←
 Specify center point → Specify the radius (or Select diameter option to specify
the diameter)

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  Circle options:
o 3Ponits: To create circle with 3 points
o 2Ponits: To create circle with 2 points
o Tan-Tan-Radius: To create circle tangent to 2 objects with a radius value
o Tan-Tan-Tan: Creates a tri-tangent circle

Arc [A]:

 To create arc objects

 A←
 Specify 1st, 2nd & 3rd point
 Arc options (From ribbon):
o Start, Centre, End
o Start, Centre, Angle
o Start, Centre, Length(Chord Length)
o Start, End, Angle
o Start, End, Direction(Tangent Direction)
o Start, End, Radius
o Centre, Start, End
o Centre, Start, Angle
o Centre, Start, Length(Chord Length)

Rectangle [REC]:

 To create rectangular polygons

 REC←
 Specify 1st & 2nd corner point
 Rectangle options:
o Dimension: To create rectangle with specified length & width
o Area: To create rectangle with specified area & length/width
o Rotation: To create rectangle with specified rotation angle
o Fillet: To create filleted rectangle (Specify fillet radius)
o Chamfer: To create chamfered rectangle (Specify chamfer distance)
o Width: To create rectangle with specified line width

Polygon [POL]:

 To create equilateral polygons

 POL←
 Specify the center point → Select a method (Inscribed in circle or
Circumscribed about circle) → Specify the radius (center to corner distance
for inscribed & center to face distance)
 Polygon options:
o Edge: To create polygon with edge points/edge length

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Ellipse [EL]:

 To create elliptical geometries

 EL←
 Specify 1st & 2nd end point of 1st axis → Specify end point of 2 nd axis
 Ellipse options:
o Centre: To create concentric ellipse (Specify the center point → Specify the
end points of both axis or radius of both axis)
o Arc: To create elliptical arc

Polyline [PL]:

 To create 2d polyline ( is a connected sequence of arc lines & arc segments created
as a single planar object)
 PL←
 Specify the start point → Specify the next points
 Polyline options:
o Arc: To create arc segments
o Width/Half width: Specify the line width of polyline
o Length: To create tangent lines with specified length

Construction Line/Xline [XL]:

 To create infinite length lines (used as reference lines)

 XL←
 Specify passing points
 Xline options:
o Horizontal
o Vertical
o Angular
o Bisect (Angle bisector)
o Offset

Spline [SPL]:

 To create a smooth curve through specified points

 SPL←
 Specify spline points
 Spline options:
o Method: To specify spline creation method
a. Control Vertices (CV)
b. Fit

Point [PO]:

 To insert reference points

 PO←

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  Specify point location
 To change point display style, DDPTYPE← (or Ribbon → Home → Utilities → Point
Style)

Divide [DIV]:

 To insert points on selected curve by number of segments

 DIV←
 Select object → Specify number of segments

Measure [MEA]:

 To insert points on selected curve by specified measurement

 MEA←
 Select object → Specify length of segment

Object Selection:
1. Selecting All objects→ “Ctrl+A”
2. Selecting objects using “Box Selection”
a. Window Selection Box (Blue colored-Selects objects which are completely
inside selection box)
b. Cross Selection Box (Green colored-Selects objects which are completely
inside & crossed by the selection box)
3. Selecting objects using Quick Selection (QSELECT←)
 Can select by specified property filter

MODIFY COMMANDS (Home Ribbon → Modify):

Erase [E]:

 To erase selected objects

 E←
 Select objects to erase

Copy [CO]:

 To copy selected objects

 CO←
 Select objects → Specify base point → Specify destination point(direction &
distance)
 Copy options:
o Displacement: To create copy by relative displacement/relative co-ordinates
o Mode: To specify copy mode (Single/Multiple)
o Array: To create array of copies (Specify number of copies → Specify the
spacing b/w items or select FIT option to specify total distance)
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Move [M]:

 To move selected objects

 M←
 Select objects to move → Specify base point → Specify destination
point(direction & distance)

Offset [O]:

 To create parallel lines, concentric circles/ellipse/polylines…….

 O←
 Select object to offset → Specify offset distance → Specify point on side to
offset
 Offset options:
o Layer: To specify whether to offset objects in current/source layer
o Multiple: To create multiple offsets
o Through: To create offset through a specified point
o Erase: To control erasing of source object

Mirror [MI]:

 To create mirrored/symmetric copies

 MI←
 Select objects → Specify 1 st & 2nd point of mirror line

Rotate [RO]:

 To rotate selected objects by specified angle

 RO←
 Select objects → Specify base point → Specify rotation angle
 Rotate options:
o Copy: To create rotated copy
o Reference: To rotate objects by absolute angle

Scale [SC]:

 To scale/resize selected objects by specified scale factor

 A “scale factor > 1” will enlarge the objects where as “scale factor < 1” will reduce
the scale of objects
 SC←
 Select objects → Specify base point → Specify scale factor
 Scale options:
o Copy: To create scaled copy
o Reference: To scale objects by reference length (Specify the reference
length → Specify the new length)

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Trim [TR]:

 To trim objects about a boundary

 TR←←
 Select objects to trim (or Shift-select to extend)
 To trim objects about a selected boundary,
 TR←
 Select boundary object → Select objects to trim
 Trim options
o Fence: Selects objects that crosses the selection fence
o Crossing: Selects objects within & crossing a rectangular area
o Project: Specifies projection method while trimming(None/UCS/View)
o Edge: Determines whether an object is trimmed at another object's
extrapolated edge or only to an object that intersects
o Erase: To erase objects while trimming

Stretch [S]:

 To stretch selected objects

 S←
o Select objects (Using crossing selection box) → Specify base point → Specify
stretching point

Extend [EX]:

 To extend objects to a boundary

 EX←←
 Select objects to extend (or Shift-select to trim)
 To extend objects about a selected boundary,
 EX←
 Select boundary object → Select objects to trim
 Extend options
o Fence: Selects objects that crosses the selection fence
o Crossing: Selects objects within & crossing a rectangular area
o Project: Specifies projection method while extend(None/UCS/View)
o Edge: Determines whether an object is extended at another object's
extrapolated edge or only to an object that intersects
o Erase: To erase objects while extending

Array [AR]:

 To create pattern by multiple copies of selected objects

 AR←
 Select objects → Select array type
a. Rectangular (Creates a rectangular pattern)
- Specify number of rows & columns

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 - Specify row & column spacing
b. Polar (Creates a circular pattern)
- Specify center point
- Specify number of items
- Specify angle b/w items or fill angle
c. Path (Creates array along a curve)
- Specify array method (Divide/Measure)
- Specify number of items/distance b/w items

Fillet [F]:

 Rounds selected corners of objects

 F←
 Select “Radius” option → Specify radius → Select 1 st & 2nd object
 Fillet options:
o Polyline: To fillet selected polyline
o Trim: To control trimming of source objects (Trim/No trim)
o Multiple: To apply multiple fillets

Chamfer [CHA]:

 Rounds selected corners of objects

 CHA←
 Select “Distance/Angle” option → Specify distances/distance & angle →
Select 1st & 2nd line
 Chamfer options:
o Polyline: To chamfer selected polyline
o Trim: To control trimming of source objects (Trim/No trim)
o Multiple: To apply multiple chamfers

Blend Curves [BLEND]:

 Creates a smooth spline b/w 2 open curves

 BLEND←
 Select 1st & 2nd curve
 Blend options:
o Continuity: Specifies the type of blend (Tangency/Smooth)

Break [BR]:

 To break selected object about 2 points

 BR←
 Select object → Select 1st point option →Select 1st & 2nd point
 To break about single point, BR←
 Select object → Select 1st point option → Select 1st point → Specify “@” as
2nd break point

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Join [J]:

 To join similar objects to form a single continuous object

 J←
 Select objects to join
 To join:
- Lines, they should be collinear
- Arcs, they should have same center & radius
- Lines, Arcs as polylines, they should be coincident

Explode [X]:

 Breaks a compound object to its component objects

 X←
 Select objects

Zoom [Z]:

 Increases or decreases the magnification of the view in the current viewport

 Z←
 All: Zooms to display all visible objects
 Center: Zooms to display a view defined by a center point and a magnification
value or a height
 Dynamic: Pans and zooms using a rectangular view box
 Extends: Zooms to display the maximum extents of all objects
 Previous: Zooms to display the previous view. You can restore up to 10
previous views
 Scale: Zooms to change the magnification of a view using a scale factor
 Window: Zooms to display an area specified by a rectangular window
 Object: Zooms to display one or more selected objects

DRAFTING SETTINGS (DS or Status Bar):

Snap (F9) & Grid (F7):

 Snap is used to restrict cursor by specified x & y spacing

 Grid is used to turn on/off grid display
 To change snap & grid settings, DS←
 Specify snap spacing & snap type → Specify grid spacing, grid style & grid
behavior

Ortho (F8):

 To restrict cursor along orthogonal/straight directions

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Polar Tracking (F10):

 To track incremental angles

 To specify angles to track, DS←
 Specify incremental angle → Angle measurement type

Object Snap (F3):

 For precise snapping of reference points on objects

 To specify object snap modes, DS←
 Select object snap → Select required modes

Object Snap Tracking (F11):

 To track along alignment paths that are based on object snap points

Dynamic Input (F12):

 For cursor input and prompts

 To change dynamic input mode settings, DS←
 Select Dynamic mode → Select required modes

ISOMETRIC VIEWS:
 An isometric view of an object can be obtained by choosing the viewing direction in
such a way that the angles between the projection of the x, y, and z axes are all the
same, or 120°

Isometric Snap:

 To snap along isometric directions

 DS ←
 Snap & Grid → Snap type → Isometric snap

Iso-plane (F5 or Ctrl+E):

 To change isometric plane directions

Iso-Circle:

 To create circular objects in isometric views

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  EL → Select “Isocircle” option → Specify the center point → Specify the required
isoplane → Specify the radius

INQUIRY COMMANDS:
Id Point [ID]:

 Displays co-ordinates of selected point

 ID←
o Specify point location

Distance [DI]:

 Measures distance b/w 2 points

 DIS←
o Specify points

Area [AA]:

 Measures area enclosed b/w points

 AA←
o Specify points or select “object” option to select object

Measure Geometry [MEA]:

 Measures area, distance, angle, radius & volume

 MEA←
 Select option:
- Distance
- Angle
- Radius
- Area
- Volume

List [LI]:

 To obtain list of details of selected objects

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TEXT:
Single Line Text [DT]:

 To create single line text objects

 DT←
 Specify start point → Specify text height → Specify text rotation angle → Type
the required text ←←

Multiline Text [T]:

 To create multiple line text objects

 T←
 Specify corner points of text area → Specify text properties from text editor
ribbon → Type the text → Type the required text → Ctrl+Enter

Text Edit [ED]:

 To edit text content

Scale Text [SCALETEXT]:

 To scale multiple text objects with respect to specified justification

 SCALETEXT←
 Select text objects → Specify justification for scaling text objects → Specify
the height or select “scale factor” specify the factor or select “match height”
to match text height

Text Style [ST]:

 To create predefined styles for text objects

 ST←
 Select New option → Specify text style name → Specify font & font height →
Specify Text effects → Ok
 To set current text style, select suitable style from Annotation panel

PROPERTIES CONTROL (Properties Panel):

Color [COL]:

 To specify object color

 3 categories:
a. Index Color (255 colors)
b. True Color (Controlled by Hue, Saturation & Luminance)
c. Color Books
 COL←

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  Select suitable color → Ok

Line Weight [LW]:

 To specify object thickness

 To hide/show line weight, LWDISPLAY← OFF/ON←

Line Type [LT]:

 To specify line type of objects

 LT←
 Select “load” option to add new line types → Select line type → Ok →
Specify the Global line type scale factor (LTS←) & Current object scale
factor→ Ok

Properties [PR]:

 To change properties of selected objects

 PR←

Match Property [MA]:

 To match properties of objects

 MA←
 Select source object → Select destination objects
 Match property option:
o Settings: To filter settings being matched

LAYERS:
 Layers are used to group objects in a drawing by function and to enforce standards
for color, line type, line weight, and other properties
 For example, you can put construction lines, text, dimensions, and title blocks on
separate layers
 Used to control the visibility of objects
 With layers, you control the following:
- Whether the objects on a layer are visible or hidden
- Whether and how objects on a layer are plotted
- Whether the objects on a layer are locked and cannot be modified
- Whether objects display with different layer properties in individual layout
viewports

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Layer Properties Manager [LA or Layer panel]:

 To manage layers in a drawing

 LA←
 New layer: To create a new layer. Specify layer name → Specify layer
properties (Color, line type, line weight)
 Delete layer: To delete unused layers
 Current layer: To set current layer
 Layer status:
 On/Off: To show/hide objects in a layer
 Freeze: To freeze layers in all viewports. Used to improve performance and
reduce regeneration time in complex drawings. Objects on frozen layers are
not displayed, plotted, hidden, or regenerated.
 Lock: Locks and unlocks the selected layers. Objects on a locked layer
cannot be modified.
 Transparency: Controls the visibility of all objects on the selected layer
 Plot: Controls whether the selected layers are plotted
 VP Freeze: Freezes selected layers in the current layout viewport
 New VP Freeze: Freezes selected layers in new layout viewports

Layer States Manager [LAS or Layers panel]:

 Saves the current layer settings in a drawing as a layer state

 Layer states can then be restored, edited, imported, and exported for use in other
drawings
 LAS←
 New: To create new layer state
 Save: Saves the current layer settings in the drawing to the selected layer
state
 Edit: To modify a selected layer state, which is then automatically saved
 Rename: Renames the selected layer state
 Delete: Removes selected layer state
 Restore: Restores the layer settings saved in the specified layer state
 Export: Can save the selected layer state to a layer state (LAS) file
 Import: Can load a previously exported layer state (LAS) file into the current
drawing

HATCHES & FILLS:

Solid [SO]:

 Creates solid-filled triangles and quadrilaterals

 SO←
 Specify points

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Do-Nut [DO]:

 Creates circular filled areas

 DO←
 Specify the inside & outside diameters → Specify the center point location

Hatch [H]:

 Fills an area/boundary with selected pattern

 H←
 Select boundaries (Pick points/Select objects) → Select pattern → Select
pattern properties (Type, color, angle & select) → Select required hatch
options (Associative, match properties, separate hatch, island detection) →
Close hatch creation

Gradient [GD]:

 Gradient fill creates a smooth transition between one or two colors

 GD←
 Select boundaries (Pick points/Select objects) → Select pattern → Select
pattern properties (Color) → Select required hatch options (Associative,
match properties, separate hatch, island detection) → Close hatch creation

Fill:

 Controls the display of filled objects such as hatches, 2D solids, and wide polylines
 FILL←

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  On/OFF←
 REG←

BLOCKS:
 Insert symbols and details into your drawings from commercial online sources or
from your own designs

 A block is a collection of objects that are combined into a single named object

Create Block [B or Block panel]:

 Creates a block definition from selected objects

 B←
 Specify block name → Specify the base point → Select objects → Specify
block behavior → Specify the block units → Ok

Insert Block [I or Block panel]:

 Inserts references of a selected block definition

 I←
 Select block name → Specify the insertion point (Specify On screen) →
Specify the scale→ Specify the rotation angle → Ok

Block Edit [BE or Block panel]:

 Edits selected block definition

 BE←
 Select the block → Ok → Edit the block as required → To exit from block
editor, select “Close block editor” option

Write Block [W or Insert Ribbon→Block definition]:

 Saves selected objects or converts a block to a specified drawing file

 W←

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  Select the source (Block, Entire drawing or Objects) → Specify the filename &
location → Specify the insertion scale → Ok

ATTRIBUTES:
 Attribute is a label or tag that attaches data to a block
 Examples are part numbers, prices, comments, and owners' names

 Can associate more than one attribute with a block, provided that each attribute has
a different tag
 Attribute information extracted from a drawing can be used in a spreadsheet or
database to produce a parts list or a bill of materials

Attribute Definition [ATT]:

 Creates an attribute definition for storing data in a block

 An attribute is an object that is created and included with a block definition
 Attributes can store data such as part numbers, product names, and so on
 ATT←
 Specify the tag (name with which to identify the attribute) → Specify the
prompt (that will be displayed when you insert a block) → Specify the default
value → Specify the required attribute mode → Specify the text settings →
Specify the Insertion point (Specify On screen) → Ok
 Attribute Modes:
- Invisible: Specifies that attribute values are not displayed or printed when you
insert the block
- Constant: Assigns attributes a fixed value for the attribute when you insert
the block
- Verify: Prompts you to verify that the attribute value is correct when you insert
the block
- Preset: Sets the attribute to its default value without displaying a prompt
when you insert the block
- Lock Position: Locks the location of the attribute within the block reference

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 - Multiple Lines: Specifies that the attribute value can contain multiple lines of
text

Attribute Edit [ATTEDIT or Block panel]:

 Changes attribute information in a block

 ATTEDIT←
 Select the block reference

Enhanced Attribute Edit [EATTEDIT]:

 Edits attributes in a block reference

 Edits the values, text options, and properties of each attribute in a block
 EATTEDIT←
 Select the block reference

Block Attribute Manager [BATTMAN or Block panel]:

 Manages the attributes for a selected block definition

 Controls all attribute properties and settings of a selected block
 Any changes to the attributes in a block definition are reflected in the block
references
 BATTMAN←
 Select the block,
- Move Up/Down: Reorders selected attributes
- Edit: Modify attribute properties
- Remove: Removes selected attributes
- Sync: Updates all instances of the selected block with the attribute
properties currently defined

Attribute Display [ATTDISP]:

 Controls the visibility overrides for all block attributes in a drawing

 ATTDISP←
 Select an option:
- Normal (As specified in attribute definition)
- ON
- OFF

Enhanced Attribute Extraction [EATTEXT]:

 Exports block attribute information to a table or to an external file

 EATTEXT←
 Create a new data extraction → Specify the filename & location for extraction
file (dxe file) → Select objects to extract data → Select the properties to
extract → Reorder the columns & rows as required → Select the output type
(Insert extraction table & To external data file/xls)

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DIMENSIONING VIEWS:
 Dimensioning is the process of adding measurement annotation to a drawing
 Can create dimensions for a variety of object types in many orientations. The basic
types of dimensioning are:
- Linear
- Radial
- Angular
- Ordinate
- Arc length

 With the dimension commands, you can create multiple dimensions with minimal
input

Basic Dimensioning Commands:

Linear [DLI]:

 Creates a linear dimension with a horizontal, vertical, or rotated dimension line

 DLI←
 Specify 1st & 2nd point
 Linear Dimension options:
o Text/Mtext: Customizes the dimension text
o Angle: Changes angle of dimension text
o Horizontal/Vertical: Creates horizontal/vertical linear dimensions
o Rotated: Creates rotated linear dimensions

Aligned [DAL]:

 Creates a linear dimension that is aligned with the origin points of the extension lines
 DAL←
 Specify 1st & 2nd point
 Aligned Dimension options:
o Text/Mtext: Customizes the dimension text
o Angle: Changes angle of dimension text

Angular [DAN]:

 Creates angular dimensions

 DAN←
 Select 1st & 2nd object
 Angular Dimension options:
o Text/Mtext: Customizes the dimension text
o Angle: Changes angle of dimension text
o Quadrant: Specifies the quadrant that the dimension should be locked to

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Arc Length [DAR]:

 Creates arc length dimensions

 DAR←
 Select arc object
 Arc length Dimension options:
o Text/Mtext: Customizes the dimension text
o Angle: Changes angle of dimension text
o Partial: Reduces length of arc length dimension
o Leader: Adds a leader object

Radius [DRA]:

 Creates radius dimension for circle/arc

 DRA←
 Select arc/circle
 Radius Dimension options:
o Text/Mtext: Customizes the dimension text
o Angle: Changes angle of dimension text

Diameter [DDI]:

 Creates diameter dimension for circle/arc

 DDI←
 Select arc/circle
 Diameter Dimension options:
o Text/Mtext: Customizes the dimension text
o Angle: Changes angle of dimension text

Jogged [DJO]:

 Creates jogged radius for arc/circle

 DJO←
 Select arc/circle → Specify start point → Specify text location → Specify jog
location
 Jogged Dimension options:
o Text/Mtext: Customizes the dimension text
o Angle: Changes angle of dimension text

Ordinate [DOR]:

 Creates ordinate dimensions

 Ordinate dimensions measure the horizontal or vertical distance from an origin point
called the datum to a feature

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  DOR←
 Select point on feature

Center Mark [DCE]:

 Creates the center mark or the centerlines of circles and arcs

 You can choose between center marks and centerlines and specify their size when
you set up the dimension style

Tolerance [TOL]:

 Creates geometric tolerances contained in a feature control frame

 Geometric tolerances show acceptable deviations of form, profile, orientation,
location, and run out

 TOL←
 Specify tolerance values

Dimension Baseline [DBA]:

 Baseline dimensions are multiple dimensions measured from the same location
 You must first create a linear or angular dimension before you create baseline
dimension

 DBA←
 Select the base dimension → Specify points of 2nd extension lines

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Dimension Continuous [DCO]:

 Continued dimensions are multiple dimensions placed end to end

 You must first create a linear or angular dimension before you create continuous
dimension

 DCO←
 Select the continuing dimension → Specify points of 2 nd extension lines

Dimension Space [DIMSPACE]:

 Adjusts the spacing between linear dimensions or angular dimensions

 DIMSPACE←
 Select the base dimension → Select the dimensions to space → Specify the
value

Dimension Break [DIMBREAK]:

 Breaks dimension and extension lines where they cross other objects
 DIMBREAK←
 Select dimension to break → Select breaking dimensions
 Dimension break options:
o Multiple: To break multiple dimensions
o Manual: To specify break size manually
o Remove: To remove dimension breaks

QLeader [LE]:

 Creates a leader and leader annotation

 LE←
 Specify 1st & 2nd leader point → Specify the text width → Type the leader text

Dimension Style [D]:

 Creates & manages styles for dimensions

 A named dimension style is a group of settings that determines the appearance of
the dimension
 Using named dimension styles, you can establish and enforce drafting standards for
drawings
 D←

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  Select New option → Specify style name
 Line Tab:
- Specify properties of dimension line & extension line → Specify base
line spacing, extend beyond dimension line value & offset from origin
- For fixed length extension line, select fixed length extension line option
& specify the length
 Symbols & Arrows Tab:
- Specify arrow head types → Arrow head size → Centre mark size →
Break size → Arc length symbol display type → Jog angle
 Text Tab:
- Specify text appearance → Text placement → Text alignment
 Fit Tab:
- Specify the fit type → Specify the overall scale for dimension features
→ Specify the fine tuning options
 Primary Units Tab:
- Specify unit format & precision for linear & angular dimensions
 Tolerance Tab (Optional):
- Specify the tolerance type → Specify the upper & lower value
 To set current dimension style, select suitable style from Annotation panel

MULTILEADERS:
 A multileader object typically consists of an arrowhead, a horizontal landing, a leader
line or curve, and either a multiline text object or a block

 Multileaders can be created arrowhead first, leader landing first, or content first
 Multileader can be created with a specified style

Creating Multileader [MLD]:

 MLD←
 Specify arrowhead location → Specify leader landing → Type the
annotation/content
 Multileader options:
o Leader landing location first:
o Content first:
o Options: Specifies options for placing leader object

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Multileader Style [MLS]:

 Creates & manages styles for multileader object

 These styles specify formatting for landing lines, leader lines, arrowheads, and
content
 MLS←
 Select New option → Specify style name
 Leader Format Tab:
- Specify properties of leader line → Specify leader type (spline/line)
- Specify arrow head type
- Specify break size
 Leader Structure Tab:
- Specify leader points
- Specify landing settings
- Overall scale for multileader objects
 Content Tab:
- Specify content type (Mtext/Block)
 To set current multileader style, select suitable style from Annotation panel

Multileader Align [MLA]:

 Aligns selected multileaders

 MLA←
 Select multileaders to align → Select aligning leaders

Multileader Collect [MLC]:

 Combines selected multileaders that contain blocks into rows or columns, and
displays the result with a single leader

 MLC←
 Select multileaders to combine → Specify leader location

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Multileader Edit [MLE]:

 Adds leader lines to, or removes leader lines from, a multileader object

 MLE←
 Select multileader to edit → Specify new leader arrowhead locations
 Multileader edit option:
o Remove: To remove leader lines

Table [TB]:

 Creates an empty table

 A table is a compound object that contains data in rows and columns
 It can be created from an empty table or a table style
 TB←
 Select table style → Specify insert options
- Empty table (Creates an empty table that can be
filled in with data manually)
- Data link (Creates a table from data in an external
spreadsheet)
- Data Extraction (Launches the Data Extraction
wizard)
 Specify insertion behavior → Specify row & column settings → Specify cell
styles required → Ok → Specify table insertion point
 After you create a table, you can modify the size of its rows and columns using table
grip points
 When you click inside a table cell when the ribbon is active, the Table ribbon
contextual tab is displayed. From here, you can
- Insert and delete rows and columns
- Merge and unmerge cells
- Alter the appearance of cell borders
- Edit data formatting and alignment
- Lock and unlock cells from editing
- Insert blocks

Table Style [TS]:

 Creates, modifies, or specifies table styles

 Determines the appearance of all new tables
 TS←
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  Select New option → Specify style name
 Specify table direction → Specify cell styles for title, header & data cells
 To set current table style, select suitable style from Annotation panel

PARAMETRIC DRAWINGS & CONSTRAINTS:

 Parametric drawing is a technology that is used for designing with constraints, which
are associations and restrictions applied to 2D geometry
 Two general types of constraints used:
a. Geometric Constraints control the relationships of objects with respect to
each other
b. Dimensional Constraints control the distance, length, angle, and radius
values of objects

Geometric Constraints [GC or Parametric ribbon → Geometric]:

 Used to specify geometric constrain relations between selected objects (eg:-

coincident, tangency………)
 GC←
 Select constrain type
- Horizontal: Causes lines or pairs of points to lie parallel to the X axis
- Vertical: Causes lines or pairs of points to lie parallel to the Y axis
- Perpendicular: Causes selected lines to lie 90 degrees to one another
- Parallel: Causes selected lines to lie parallel to each other
- Tangency: Constrains two curves to maintain a point of tangency to
each other or their extensions
- Smooth: Constrains a spline to be contiguous and maintain G2
continuity with another spline, line, arc, or polyline
- Coincident: Constrains two points together or a point to a curve (or an
extension of a curve)
- Concentric: Constrains two arcs, circles, or ellipses to the same center
point
- Collinear: Causes two or more line segments to lie along the same line
- Symmetric: Causes selected objects to become symmetrically
constrained about a selected line
- Equal: Resizes selected arcs and circles to the same radius, or
selected lines to the same length
- Fix: Locks points and curves in position
 Infer constrains can be used to apply geometric constraints automatically when you
create or edit geometry
 INFER←
 1← (for turning ON) or 0← (for turning OFF)

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Dimensional Constraints [DIMCONSTRAINT or Parametric ribbon → Dimensional]:

 Applies a dimensional constraint to a selected object or converts an associative

dimension to a dimensional constraint
 Dimensional constraints are used in the design phase of a drawing, but dimensions
are typically created in the documentation phase
 Dimensional constraints can be created in one of the following forms:
a. Dynamic constraints
b. Annotational constraints
 DIMCONSTRAINT←
 Select constrain type
- Linear: Creates a horizontal, vertical, or rotated constraint based on the
locations of the extension line origins and the dimension line
- Horizontal: Constrains the X distance between points on an object, or
between two points on different objects
- Vertical: Constrains the Y distance between points on an object, or
between two points on different objects
- Aligned: Constrains the distance between two points on different
objects
- Angular: Constrains the angle between lines or polyline segments, the
angle swept out by an arc
- Radius: Constrains the radius of a circle or an arc
- Diameter: Constrains the diameter of a circle or an arc
- Form: Specifies whether the dimensional constraint being created is
dynamic or annotational
- Convert: Converts associative dimensions to dimensional constraints

External References [ER]:

 External reference links another drawing to the current drawing

 When you insert a drawing as a block, the block and all of the associated geometry
is stored in the current drawing database. It is not updated if the original drawing
changes
 When you insert a drawing as an xref, however, the xref is updated when the original
drawing changes
 Like a block reference, an xref is displayed in the current drawing as a single object
 Xref does not significantly increase the file size of the current drawing and cannot be
exploded
 ER←
 Select “Attach” option → Select the file type → Select the file → Specify
insertion options (Insertion point, scale & rotation angle) → Ok
 Xref options (Right click on Xref):
- Open: To open source file
- Attach: To insert references of selected Xref
- Unload: To suppress selected Xref

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 - Reload: To reload/update Xref
- Bind: To bind/attach the Xref to current drawing

Xclip [XCLIP]:

 Crops the display of a selected external reference or block reference to a specified

boundary
 XCLIP←
 New Boundary: Defines a rectangular or polygonal clipping boundary, or
generates a polygonal clipping boundary from a polyline
 ON: Displays the clipped portion of the external reference or block in the
current drawing
 OFF: Displays all of the geometry of the external reference or block in the
current drawing, ignoring the clipping boundary
 Delete: Removes a clipping boundary for the selected xref or block

CLIPBOARD COMMANDS (Home Ribbon → Clipboard):

Copy (Ctrl+C):

 Copies objects to clipboard

Paste (Ctrl+V):

 Paste objects from clipboard to the current drawing

Paste as Block (Ctrl+Shift+V):

 Paste objects from clipboard to the current drawing as a block

Paste as Hyperlink:

 Creates a hyperlink to a file, and associates it with a selected object

 First, select a document, such as a text, spreadsheet, drawing, or image file, and
copy it to the Clipboard. Then, use this command to associate a hyperlink to that
document with any selected object.

Paste to Original Co-ordinates:

 Paste objects from clipboard to the current drawing using original co-ordinates

Paste Special

 Paste objects from clipboard to the current drawing with specified format

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Hyperlink [Ctrl+K]:

 Attaches a hyperlink to an object or modifies an existing hyperlink

 Hyperlinks in a drawing provide jumps to associated files
 Ctrl+K → Select objects → Select the file or specify the web page address
 To view the link, select objects by holding “Ctrl”

Tool Palette [TP]:

 Use tool palettes to organize blocks, hatches, and custom tools in a tabbed window
 Tool palettes can be used only in the version of the product in which they were
created
 TP←

Design Center [DC]:

 Use design center to import drawing standards such as blocks, layers, styles,
layouts…..
 DC←
 Select load option → Select the standard drawing file → Import required
standards

eTransmit [ETRANSMIT or Application Menu → Publish]

 Packages a set of files for Internet transmission (zip file)

 ETRANSMIT←
 Select “Add file” option to add required files in the package
 Ok

LAYOUT [LO or Layout Ribbon]:

 A layout is a 2D environment where you can specify the size of your drawing sheet,
add a title block, display views of your model, and create notes for your drawing.
 Can use multiple layouts to show and provide details on the various components of
your model
 Can also import layouts from a template

Creating a New Layout:

 LO←
 Select new option → Specify layout name

Setting Page size of a Layout [PAGESETUP or Layout Ribbon]:

 PAGESETUP←
 Select modify option → Specify Paper size → Select drawing orientation
(Portrait/Landscape) → Ok
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Inserting views using Viewports [MV]:

 Used to insert model views to layout

 Can specify scale for each view port
 MV←
 Specify 1st & 2nd corner point
 To activate a viewport, double click inside the viewport and specify the scale
from status bar
 Can also specify scale using properties command
 MView options:
o ON: Activates a viewport. An active viewport displays objects in model space
o OFF: Makes a selected viewport inactive. Objects in model space are not
displayed in an inactive viewport.
o Fit: Creates one viewport that fills the layout to the edges of the printable
area
o Lock: Locks scale of selected viewport
o Object: Specifies a closed polyline, ellipse, spline, region, or circle to be
converted into a layout viewport
o Polygonal: Creates an irregularly shaped viewport using specified points
o 2,3,4: To create multiple viewports

Plot [PLOT or Ctrl+P]:

 Plots a drawing to a printer, or file

 PLOT←
 Select printer
 Select paper size (Not required for layout)
 Select plot area
- Display: Plots the view in the current viewport
- Extends: All geometry in the current space is plotted
- Layout: plots everything within the printable area of the layout
- Window: Plots any portion of the drawing that you specify
 Specify plot offset (Specifies an offset of the plot area relative to the lower-left
corner of the printable area)
 Select plot scale
 Select plot style table (Select “monochrome.ctb” for black & white plot)
 Select plot options
 Select drawing orientation
 Preview
 Plot

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Publish [PUBLISH]:

 Can publish the drawing set to a DWF, DWFx, or PDF file or send it to the plotter
named in the page setup for hard-copy output or as a plot file
 PUBLISH←
 Select “Add Sheets” option to add required layouts
 Select “Publish to” file format
 Publish

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