Chapter 2. Quick-Start Tutorials: Basic Settings and Commands

• Tutorial 2-1, Part 1, describes the settings that must be made before starting a drawing.

• Tutorial 2-1, Part 2, describes how to draw using basic commands.

• Tutorial 2-2 describes how to print your drawing.

When you have completed Tutorial 2-1 your drawing will look similar to Figure 2-1.

Tutorial 2-1 Part 1, Beginning an AutoCAD Drawing: Saving Your Work; Setting Units, Limits, Grid, and Snap; Creating Layers

If you click New... and select the acad.dwt template, as shown in Figure 2-2, you are in the same drawing environment as when you simply open the AutoCAD program and begin drawing. AutoCAD uses the acad.dwt template for the drawing settings if no other template is selected.

You do not need to click New... from the File menu. You can stay in the drawing environment that appeared when you started AutoCAD.

Step 1. If your named workspace is not active, you can select it by using the Workspace Switching button in the status bar or in the Quick Access toolbar. You can modify your workspace and save it again as often as you like.

When the Save command is clicked and the drawing has been named and already saved, no dialog box appears, and the drawing is saved automatically to the drive and folder in which you are working. At this time, the existing drawing file (.dwg) becomes the backup file (.bak), and a new drawing file is created.

Some additional features of the Save As command are as follows:

If the default drive is used (the drive on which you are working), and the drawing has been opened from that drive, .dwg and .bak files are created when Create backup copy with each save is checked on the Open and Save tab of the Options dialog box as shown in Figure 2-5. To access the Options dialog box, type OP <Enter>.

If a drive other than the default is specified, only a .dwg file is created.

To change the name of the drawing, you may save it under a new name by typing a new name in the File name: input box. The drawing is still saved under the original name as well as the new name. You can save the drawing under as many names as you need.

If the drawing was previously saved, or if a drawing file already exists with the drawing file name you typed, AutoCAD gives you the message drawing name.dwg already exists. Do you want to replace it? When you are updating a drawing file, the old .dwg file is replaced with the new drawing, so the answer to click is Yes. If an error has been made and you do not want to replace the file, click No.

A drawing may be saved to as many disks or to as many folders on the hard disk as you wish. You should save your drawing in two different places as insurance against catastrophe.

Drawings can be saved to an Autodesk 360 Cloud Account. This is where you can store, share, and view your drawings online from any computer, mobile phone, or tablet. AutoCAD WS is a cloud-based CAD editor from Autodesk that allows you to view, edit, and share your drawings.

On the Online tab of the Options dialog box, Figure 2-5, when the Enable cloud storage box is checked and the Automatically when I save (Recommended) radio button is selected, your drawings are automatically saved by default to the cloud. You can change this setting for each drawing individually, using the Save Drawing As dialog box, Figure 2-4, when you click the Keep a copy of this document in my cloud account box to delete the check mark. The Set Online Options... button on the Save Drawing As dialog box takes you to the Online tab of the Options dialog box.

Any drawing may be saved as other file types (Figure 2-4):

Step 2. Name and save Tutorial 2-1 on the drive and/or folder you want (Figure 2-6), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Save
The Save Drawing As dialog box appears with the file name highlighted:	Type CH2-TUTORIAL1
The Save Drawing As dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 2-6:	Select the drive and/or folder in which you want to save CH2-TUTORIAL1 Click Save

AutoCAD automatically adds the file extension .dwg to the drawing name and .bak to a backup file. The icon to the left of the file name in the Save Drawing As dialog box describes the file type.

Step 3. Set drawing units (Figure 2-7), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Units... (or type UN <Enter>)
The Drawing Units dialog box appears (Figure 2-7):	Click Architectural (for Type: under Length) Click 0′-0 1/16″ (for Precision: under Length) Click OK

Step 4. Make sure SNAP and GRID are on in the status bar and that INFER, ORTHO, POLAR, OSNAP, 3DOSNAP, OTRACK, DUCS, DYN, LWT, TPY, QP, SC, and AM are off.

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Type LIMITS <Enter>
Specify lower left corner or [ON OFF] <0′-0″, 0′-0″>:	<Enter>
Specify upper right corner <1″-0′, 0′-9″>:	Type 8-1/2,11 <Enter>

Think of drawing limits as your drawing area, sheet size, or sheet boundaries. This sheet of paper is also called the workplane. The workplane is based on a Cartesian coordinate system. A Cartesian coordinate system has three axes, X, Y, and Z. Here, 8-1/2,11 was set as the drawing limits. In the Cartesian coordinate system, that value is entered as 8-1/2,11 using a comma with no spaces to separate the X- and Y-axis coordinates. The X-axis coordinate of a Cartesian coordinate system is stated first (8-1/2) and measures drawing limits from left to right (horizontally). The Y-axis coordinate is second (11) and measures drawing limits from bottom to top (vertically). You will be drawing on a vertical 8-1/2″ × 11″ workplane similar to a standard sheet of typing paper. The Z-axis is used in 3D.

The lower left corner, the origin point of the drawing boundaries, is 0,0 and is where the X- and Y-axes intersect. The upper right corner is 8-1/2,11 (Figure 2-8). These are the limits for Tutorial 2-1. To turn the 8-1/2″ × 11″ area horizontally, enter the limits as 11,8-1/2. With units set to Architectural, AutoCAD defaults to inches, so the inch symbol is not required.

The coordinate display numbers in the extreme lower left corner of the AutoCAD screen tell you where the crosshairs on the screen are located in relation to the 0,0 origin. The display updates as you move the cursor.

If you need to change the drawing limits, you may do so at any time by entering new limits to the Specify upper right corner: prompt. Changing the drawing limits will automatically show the grid pattern for the new limits.

0 When GRIDDISPLAY is set to 0, the grid is restricted to the limits that are set. Currently, the limits are set to 8-1/2,11 as shown in Figure 2-9.

1 When GRIDDISPLAY is set to 1, the grid is not restricted to the limits set, as shown in Figure 2-10.

2 This setting turns on the adaptive grid display. That means when you are zoomed out, the density of the grid is limited. To see the difference between a 1″ line zoomed out with GRIDDISPLAY set to 0 and GRIDDISPLAY set to 2 with GRID set to ¼″, see Figure 2-11.

Step 6. Set GRIDDISPLAY to zero so the grid will be restricted to the area specified by the limits, as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Type GRIDDISPLAY <Enter>
Enter new value for GRIDDISPLAY <3>:	Type 0 <Enter>

Step 7. Set the grid spacing, as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Type GRID <Enter>
Specify grid spacing(X) or [ON OFF Snap Major aDaptive Limits Follow Aspect] <0′-0 1/2″>:	Type 1/4 <Enter>
Type a command:	<Enter> (to repeat the GRID command)
Specify grid spacing(X) or [ON OFF Snap Major aDaptive Limits Follow Aspect] <0′-0 1/4″>:	Type M <Enter>
Enter the number of grid divisions per major grid line <5>:	Type 4 <Enter>

You have just set a grid spacing of 1/4″, where each line is spaced 1/4″ vertically and horizontally, with a major grid line every four spaces. By the way, if you see dots for the grid points instead of grid lines, you need to change your Visual Styles setting from Wireframe 2D to Hidden using Visual Style from the View pull-down menu.

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Type SN <Enter>
Specify snap spacing or [ON OFF Aspect Legacy Style Type] <0′-0 1/2″>:	Type 1/8 <Enter>

You have set 1/8″ as the snap spacing. Snap is an invisible grid on the display screen. When a command is active and you are specifying points, the crosshairs will snap, or lock, to an invisible snap grid when snap is on. When snap is on and points are not being specified, the crosshairs do not snap to a grid. With a setting of 1/8″, each snap point is spaced 1/8″ horizontally and vertically.

Pressing function key <F9> or <Ctrl>+B turns the snap on or off. The snap can also be turned on or off by selecting either option in response to the prompt Specify snap spacing or [ON OFF Aspect Style Type] or by clicking the SNAP button at the bottom of the screen. Snap may be turned on and off while you are drawing.

It is helpful to set the snap spacing the same as the grid spacing or as a fraction of the grid spacing so the crosshairs snap to every grid point or to every grid point and in between. The snap can be set to snap several times in between the grid points.

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Zoom-All (or type Z <Enter>)
Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or [All Center Dynamic Extents Previous Scale Window Object] <real time>:	Type A <Enter>

The Zoom-All command displays the entire drawing limits or extents, whichever is larger. You already know what limits are by setting the limits of the drawing. Extents is anything you have drawn and may be within or outside your limits. In this instance, Zoom-All will provide a view of the drawing limits. With GRIDDISPLAY set to 0 the grid display shows the limits.

To access the Drafting Settings dialog box, right-click on SNAP or GRID in the status bar and click Settings... (or type DS for Drafting Settings and <Enter>). The dialog box is a handy tool to use in setting the snap and grid spacing, but if you are a fair typist, typing these commands from the keyboard is faster.

Step 10. Create layers using the Layer Properties Manager palette (Figures 2-14 and 2-15), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Layer Properties (or type LA <Enter>)
The Layer Properties Manager palette appears:	Click the New Layer icon three times (see Figure 2-14)
Layer1, Layer2, Layer3 appear in the Layer Name list (Figure 2-15):	Click the box under Color, beside Layer1

Step 11. Assign colors to layers (Figure 2-16), as described next:

Prompt	Response
The Select Color dialog box appears:	Click the color white (Color Index: 7) (Figure 2-16); click OK
The Layer Properties Manager palette appears:	Click the box under Color, beside Layer2
The Select Color dialog box appears:	Click the color blue (Index color: 5) Click OK
The Layer Properties Manager palette appears:	Click the box under Color, beside Layer3
The Select Color dialog box appears:	Click the color red (Index color: 1) Click OK

Step 12. Assign linetypes to layers (Figures 2-17, 2-18, and 2-19), as described next:

Prompt	Response
The Layer Properties Manager palette appears:	Click the word Continuous under Linetype, beside Layer2
The Select Linetype dialog box appears (Figure 2-17):	Click Load... (to load linetypes so they can be selected)
The Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box appears:	Move the mouse to the center of the dialog box and click the right mouse button Click Select All (Figure 2-18) Click OK
The Linetypes-Reload Linetypes dialog box appears:	Click Skip reloading the linetype, PHANTOM2 (Figure 2-19)

Prompt	Response
The Select Linetype dialog box appears (Figure 2-20):	Click DASHED Click OK Click the close button (X) in the upper left corner of the Layer Properties Manager palette

Step 13. Set the Units for Listing in the Lineweight Settings dialog box to Inches. The lineweights will read in inches in the Layer Properties Manager palette instead of millimeters. If you prefer millimeters, set it to millimeters. Pick OK to exit the dialog box.

Step 14. Assign lineweights to layers (Figure 2-22), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Layer Properties (or type LA <Enter>)
The Layer Properties Manager palette appears:	Click the word Default under Lineweight, beside Layer1
The Lineweight dialog box appears:	Click 0.014″ (.35mm) Click OK
The Layer Properties Manager palette appears:	Click the word Default under Lineweight, beside Layer2
The Lineweight dialog box appears:	Click 0.010″ (.25mm) Click OK
The Layer Properties Manager palette appears:	Click the word Default under Lineweight, beside Layer3
The Lineweight dialog box appears:	Click 0.006″ (.15mm) Click OK

Step 15. Turn LWT on (in the status bar).

Step 16. Make a layer current (Figure 2-23), as described next:

Prompt	Response
The Layer Properties Manager palette appears with layer names, colors, and linetypes assigned:	Click Layer1 (to select it) (Figure 2-23). Be sure to click on a layer name, not on one of the other properties such as lock or color. Click Set Current (the green check icon) Click the close button (X) in the upper left corner of the palette

You can also double-click the layer name to set it current. Anything drawn from this point until another layer is set current will be on Layer1.

To change a layer name after using New Layer to create layers, click the layer name to highlight it, then slowly left-click the name again in the Name: input area, and type over the existing name. You can also click the layer name and then use Rename from the right-click menu to rename a layer. You can initially name the layers by clicking New and then typing the layer names separated by a comma. When you type the comma, you move to the next layer.

Additional layer control option icons on the Layer Properties Manager palette and Layers panel of the Home tab of the ribbon (Figure 2-24) that can be changed, reading from left to right, are as follows:

Turn a Layer On or Off for Entire Drawing: This option pertains to the visibility of layers. When a layer is turned off, it is still part of the drawing, but any entity drawn on that layer is not visible on the screen and cannot be plotted. For instance, the building exterior walls layer, interior walls layer, and electrical layer are turned on and all other layers turned off to view, edit, or plot an electrical plan. One or more layers can be turned off and on as required.

Freeze or Thaw a Layer for Entire Drawing: This option also pertains to the visibility of layers. The difference between on/off and freeze/thaw is a matter of how quickly the drawing regenerates on the display screen. If a layer is frozen, it is not visible and cannot be plotted, and AutoCAD spends no time regenerating it. A layer that is turned off is not visible and cannot be plotted, but AutoCAD does regenerate it.

Lock or Unlock a Layer Globally for Entire Drawing: When a layer is locked, it is visible, and you can draw on it. You cannot use any of the Edit commands to edit any of the drawing entities on the layer. You cannot accidentally change any entity that is already drawn.

To change the state of any layer, pick the icon to select the alternative state. For example, Figure 2-24 shows that Layer1 was turned off by picking the lightbulb to turn it off. Additional layer properties that are shown in the Layer Properties Manager palette are as follows:

Transparency: This option pertains to changing the transparency versus the opaqueness of objects on a layer. You can enter a transparency value between 0 and 90, inclusive.

Plot Style: Plot styles are created using a plot style table to define various properties such as color, grayscale, and lineweight. A layer’s plot style overrides the layer’s color, linetype, and lineweight. Plot styles are used when you want to plot the same drawing with different settings or different drawings with the same settings.

Plot: Allows you to make visible layers nonplottable. For example, you may not want to plot a layer that shows construction lines. When a layer is nonplottable, it is displayed but not plotted.

New VP Freeze: Allows you to freeze layers in a newly created viewport.

Description: Allows you to type a general description of the layer in the area.

If you create some layers that you do not need, delete them by highlighting them and picking the Delete icon.

Step 17. Make sure your annotation scale located in the lower right corner of the AutoCAD screen is set to the default 1:1 (Figure 2-25).

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Save
The drawing is saved in the drive and folder selected at the beginning of this exercise.

In the Response columns of the exercises, <Enter> indicates that the right mouse button should be clicked. Notes in parentheses are used to clarify how <Enter> is used; for example, <Enter> (to return to the Line command prompt). Leave the Right-Click Customization dialog box set to the default as shown in Figure 2-27. As you become more familiar with AutoCAD, you may decide to change this setting.

Tutorial 2-1 Part 2, Drawing Lines, Circles, Arcs, Ellipses, and Donuts

Step 19. Make sure that SNAP, GRID, ORTHO, and LWT are on and the remaining buttons in the status bar are off. Make sure Layer1 is current.

Step 20. Complete a Zoom-All command to make sure you are looking at the entire 8-1/2 × 11 limits of your drawing.

Lines can be drawn by snapping to the grid visible on the screen. The snap is set at 1/8″, and the grid is set at 1/4″. The grid provides a visual cue for the snap points that snap on every grid mark and in between every grid mark.

Step 21. Draw a horizontal line 1″ long, using the snap increments and grid marks (Figure 2-28), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Line (or type L <Enter>)
Specify first point:	P1→ (Do not type “P1.” Look at Figure 2-28 and click the point P1→, approximately two grid spaces down (1/2″) and four grid spaces to the right (1″) of the upper left corner of the page.)
Specify next point or [Undo]:	P2→ (move your mouse four grid marks to the right and click the point P2→)
Specify next point or [Undo]:	<Enter> When the right mouse button is used for <Enter>, a shortcut menu appears, and <Enter> must be clicked on the shortcut menu to complete the command. When the keyboard <Enter> key or the space bar is used, the command is completed, and the shortcut menu does not appear.

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Erase (or type E <Enter>)
Select objects:	Position the small box that replaces the crosshairs anyplace on the line and click the line
Select objects: 1 found Select objects:	<Enter> (the line disappears)
Type a command:	Type U <Enter> (the line reappears)

Do not be afraid to draw with AutoCAD. If you make a mistake, you can easily erase it using the ERASE command. The UNDO command will restore everything erased by the ERASE command. When you are using the ERASE command, a small box replaces the screen crosshairs. The small box is called the pickbox.

Step 23. Draw a 1″ square using the snap increments and grid marks and undo the last two lines (Figure 2-29), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Line
Specify first point:	P1→ (click a point 1/2″ directly below the left end of the line just drawn)
Specify next point or [Undo]:	P2→ (Figure 2-29)
Specify next point or [Undo]:	P3→
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	P4→
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	P5→
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Type U <Enter> (move your mouse to see that the line is undone)
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Type U <Enter>
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	<Enter> (to stop and return to the command prompt)

While in the LINE command, if you decide you do not like the last line segment drawn, use the UNDO command to erase it and continue on with the Specify next point or [Close Undo]: prompt. Clicking more than one undo will backtrack through the line segments in the reverse order in which they were drawn.

Step 24. Complete the square (Figure 2-29), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	<Enter> (to return the Line command prompt)
Specify first point:	<Enter> (to see the line attached, turn the grid off and back on).
Specify next point or [Undo]:	P4→
Specify next point or [Undo]:	P5→
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	<Enter> (to stop)

The LINE command has a very handy feature: If you respond to the Specify first point: prompt by pressing the <Enter> key or the space bar, the line will start at the end of the most recently drawn line.

Step 25. Draw a rectangle using absolute coordinates (Figure 2-30), as described next. Remember: GRID, SNAP, ORTHO, and LWT should be on.

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Line (move the crosshairs to the center of the screen)
Specify first point:	Type 4,10 <Enter> (the line begins)
Specify next point or [Undo]:	Type 7,10 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Undo]:	Type 7,9 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Type 4,9 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Type C <Enter>

Step 26. Click on the coordinate display to turn the screen coordinate display on (if needed) and move your pointer to each corner of the square. Watch how the screen coordinate display shows the X,Y coordinate position of each corner. Compare those coordinates with the coordinates you just typed and entered. They are the same.

Step 27. Set Layer3 current. Layer3 has a .006″ (.15mm) lineweight.

Step 28. Draw a rectangle using relative coordinates (Figure 2-31), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Line
Specify first point:	Click a point on the grid 1/2″ below the lower left corner of the first square drawn
Specify next point or [Undo]:	Type @2,0 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Undo]:	Type @0,–1 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Type @–2,0 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Type C <Enter>

A minus sign (–) is used for negative line location with relative coordinates. Negative is to the left for the X-axis and down for the Y-axis.

Polar coordinates are also relative to the last point entered. They are typed starting with an @, followed by a distance and angle of direction. Figure 2-32 shows that the default direction for positive angles is counterclockwise. The angle of direction is always preceded by a < sign when polar coordinates are entered.

You can change the direction for positive angles to clockwise by clicking to add a check mark in the Clockwise box on the Drawing Units dialog box. We will use the default counterclockwise direction in this book.

Step 29. Draw a 1″ square using polar coordinates (Figure 2-31), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	<Enter> (to return to the Line command prompt)
Specify first point:	Click a point on the grid 1/2″ to the right of the upper right corner of the last rectangle drawn
Specify next point or [Undo]:	Type @1<0 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Undo]:	Type @1<270 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Type @1<180 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Type C <Enter>

Step 30. Draw a rectangle using direct distance entry (Figure 2-31), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Line (with ORTHO on)
Specify first point:	Click a point on the grid 1/2″ to the right of the upper right corner of the square just drawn
Specify next point or [Undo]:	Move your mouse to the right; type 2-1/2 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Undo]:	Move your mouse down; type 1 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Move your mouse to the left; type 2-1/2 <Enter>
Specify next point or [Close Undo]:	Type C <Enter>

When DYN is on, you can enter coordinate values into the input fields instead of using the command line. They are entered as follows:

To enter absolute coordinates type the pound sign (#) prefix, then the absolute coordinates, and press <Enter> (example: #4,4 <Enter>).

Entering relative coordinates is the default. To enter relative coordinates type the relative coordinates without the @ sign, and press <Enter> (example: 5,3 <Enter>).

To enter polar coordinates: type the distance from the first point, press <Tab> (to lock the value), then type the angle value, and press <Enter>.

Right-click DYN on the status bar, then click Settings... to access the Dynamic Input tab of the Drafting Settings dialog box (Figure 2-33). On this tab, you can control the display of the three tooltips near your cursor when DYN is on. Hold <F12> down to turn DYN off temporarily.

Step 32. Set Layer2 current. Layer2 has a dashed linetype.

Step 33. Turn ORTHO off; SNAP, GRID, and LWT are on.

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Center, Radius (or type C <Enter>)
Specify center point for circle or [3P 2P Ttr(tan tan radius)]:	P1→ (Figure 2-35)
Specify radius of circle or [Diameter]:	Type 1/2 <Enter> (the circle appears)

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	<Enter> (to return to the CIRCLE command prompt)
Specify center point for circle or [3P 2P Ttr(tan tan radius)]:	P1→ (Figure 2-35)
Specify radius of circle or [Diameter] <0′-0 1/2″>:	Type D <Enter> (to specify diameter)
Specify diameter of circle <0′-1″>:	<Enter> (the circle appears)

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	2 Point
Specify center point for circle or [3P 2P Ttr(tan tan radius)]: _2p
Specify first endpoint of circle’s diameter:	P2→ (on a grid mark, Figure 2-35)
Specify second endpoint of circle’s diameter:	P3→ (move four grid spaces to the right)

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	3 Point
Specify center point for circle or [3P 2P Ttr(tan tan radius)]: _3p
Specify first point on circle:	P2→ (Figure 2-35)
Specify second point on circle:	P3→ (move four grid spaces to the right)
Specify third point on circle:	P4→ (the center of the top of the circle)

You have just learned four different methods of drawing the same-size circle. You can watch the size of the circle change on the screen by moving the pointer, and you can select the desired size by clicking the point that indicates the size.

To make the line segment length or spacing smaller, enter a linetype scale factor smaller than 1 but larger than 0 at the LTSCALE prompt. To make the line segment length and spacing larger, enter a linetype scale factor larger than 1. Look closely to see the circle’s DASHED linetype scale change when the following is entered.

Step 38. Use LTSCALE to change the size of the DASHED linetype, as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Type LTSCALE <Enter>
Enter new linetype scale factor <1.0000>:	Type 1/2 <Enter>
Regenerating model.

Step 39. Use Zoom-Window to look more closely at the four circles (Figure 2-37), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Type Z <Enter>
Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or [All Center Dynamic Extents Previous Scale Window Object] <real time>:	P1→ (lower left corner of the window, Figure 2-37)
Specify opposite corner:	P2→ (upper right corner of the window)

Step 40. Use Zoom-All to view the entire drawing, as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Zoom-All (or type Z <Enter>)
Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or [All Center Dynamic Extents Previous Scale Window Object] <real time>:	Type A <Enter>

Step 41. Use Zoom-Previous to see the last view of the tangent circles again, as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	<Enter> (to repeat the ZOOM command)
Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or [All Center Dynamic Extents Previous Scale Window Object] <real time>:	Type P <Enter>

Step 42. Use Zoom-Extents to view the extents of drawing CH2-TUTORIAL1.

You may also type P <Enter> to activate this command. To move the view of your drawing at the same magnification, hold down the left button on your mouse and move the mouse in any direction to change the view of your drawing.

Commands that do not select objects, create new objects, or end the drawing session also usually can be used transparently. The grid and snap settings can be used transparently. After you have entered a command such as Line, you can type ’CAL <Enter> to start the calculator command transparently, type ’P <Enter> to start the PAN command, or type ’grid to change the grid setting. An apostrophe (’) must precede the command name. The >> preceding the command prompt in the command line window indicates the command is being used transparently.

Step 43. Set Layer1 current.

Step 44. Use Zoom-All to view the entire drawing. Use Zoom-Realtime as needed to draw the circles in the next step.

Step 45. Draw a row of four 1/2″-diameter circles, 1″ on center (1″ from the center of one circle to the center of the next circle), as shown in Figure 2-38.

Step 46. Pick Move from the ribbon (or type M <Enter>).

Step 47. Select a circle by clicking a point on the circle, and move it (Figure 2-39), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Select objects:	P1→ (any point on the circumference of the circle, as shown in Figure 2-39)
Select objects: 1 found Select objects:	<Enter> (you have completed selecting objects)
Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>:	P2→ (the center of the circle—be sure SNAP is on)
Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>:	Click a point three grid spaces (3/4″) to the right -or- with ORTHO on, move your mouse to the right; type 3/4 <Enter>

Step 48. Select a circle by clicking a point on the circle, and move it using relative coordinates (Figure 2-40), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	<Enter> (to repeat the Move command prompt)
Select objects:	P1→ (Figure 2-40)
Select objects: 1 found Select objects:	<Enter>
Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>:	P2→ (the center of the circle)
Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>:	Type @–3/4,0 <Enter>

You can give the second point of displacement by clicking a point on the screen or by using absolute, relative, or polar coordinates, or direct distance entry.

Step 49. Select items to be edited by using a window, and then remove an item from the selection set (Figure 2-41), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	<Enter> (to repeat the Move command prompt)
Select objects:	P1→ (Figure 2-41)
Specify opposite corner: 4 found	P2→
Select objects:	Type R <Enter> (or hold down the <Shift> key)
Remove objects:	P3→
Remove objects:	<Enter>
Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>:	P4→ (the center of the circle or anyplace on the drawing)
Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>:	With ORTHO on, move your mouse down; type 1/2 <Enter>

With the window selection option, only the parts of the drawing that are entirely contained within the window are selected to be edited. If the window covers only a part of a drawing entity, that entity is not selected. You may also type W <Enter> at the Select objects: prompt to activate the Window response.

When you use the crossing window selection, any part of the drawing that is contained within or crossed by the crossing window is included in the selection set. With a crossing window, a drawing entity such as a line or circle does not have to be entirely contained within the window to be selected—it only has to be touched by the crossing window. The colors of both the crossing window and the window are controlled by the Visual Effect Settings on the Selection tab of the Options dialog box.

Picking an empty area on the drawing and moving your mouse to the right creates a window. Picking and moving to the left creates a crossing window.

Step 50. Return the circles to the approximate location as shown in Figure 2-38.

Step 51. Use grips to change the size of a circle; then move, scale, and rotate several circles at the same time, as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	With no command active, click on one of the ½″ diameter circles you have drawn
Small blue squares (grips) appear at each quadrant and at the center of the circle:	Click one of the grips at one of the quadrants of the circle
The grip changes color (becomes hot). Specify stretch point or [Base point Copy Undo eXit]:	Move your mouse to see that the size of the circle changes, then type 3/4 <Enter>
The radius of the circle is now 3/4″	Click Undo (or type U <Enter>) to return the circle to its previous size
Type a command:	Using a window, select all four 1/2″ diameter circles
Grips appear at each quadrant and at the centers of all circles:	Click the grip at the far left quadrant
The grip changes color (becomes hot).
**STRETCH** Specify stretch point or [Base point Copy Undo eXit]:	Press the space bar to advance to the Move grip mode in the command area
**MOVE** Specify move point or [Base point Copy Undo eXit]:	Move your mouse to the right to see that the circles move with your cursor. You can now type the distance to move the circles or you can click the destination point. For now, type 5 <Enter> to move the circles 5″ to the right.
With all circles still displaying grips:	Click the grip at the far left quadrant
The grip changes color (becomes hot).
**STRETCH** Specify stretch point or [Base point Copy Undo eXit]:	Press the space bar twice to advance to the Rotate grip mode
**ROTATE** Specify rotation angle or [Base point Copy Undo Reference eXit]:	Move your mouse so you can see that the circles are rotated. You can now type an angle or you can click a point to select the angle. For now, type 45 <Enter> to rotate the circles 45°.
Type a command:	Click Undo twice (or type U <Enter> twice) to return the circles to their original position.

When the Undo icon on the Quick Access toolbar is clicked, the most recent command is undone. To undo more than one command, click the Undo icon more than once or use the list provided under the down arrow to undo a group of commands. The Redo icon becomes active and you can immediately use the Redo icon or list to redo as many commands as you need. If you resume drawing immediately after using the Undo icon, the Redo icon does not become active.

When U is typed from the keyboard at the command prompt, and the <Enter> key is pressed, the most recent command operation is undone. Most of the time the operation that is undone is obvious, such as when a line that you have just drawn is undone. The most recent mode settings that are not obvious, such as Snap, will be undone also. Typing REDO and pressing <Enter> will redo only one undo, and must immediately follow the U or UNDO command.

When U is typed and entered from the keyboard, no prompt line appears. If you type UNDO <Enter>, the prompt Enter the number of operations to undo or [Auto Control BEgin End Mark Back] <1>: appears. The default is <1>. You may enter a number for the number of operations to be undone. For instance, if 5 is entered at the prompt, five operations will be undone. If you decide you went too far, you can type REDO <Enter> or select Redo from the Standard toolbar, and all five operations will be restored.

Typing U from the keyboard and pressing the <Enter> key is the same as entering the number 1 at the Undo prompt. In that instance, Redo will redo only one undo, no matter how many times you typed and entered U.

Step 52. Draw three arcs using the 3-point method (Figure 2-43), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	3 Point (or type A <Enter>)
Specify start point of arc or [Center]:	P1→
Specify second point of arc or [Center End]:	P2→ (Figure 2-43)
Specify end point of arc:	P3→
Command:	<Enter> (repeat ARC)
Specify start point of arc or [Center]:	P4→
Specify second point of arc or [Center End]:	P5→
Specify end point of arc:	P6→
Command:	<Enter> (repeat ARC)
Specify start point of arc or [Center]:	P7→
Specify second point of arc or [Center End]:	P8→
Specify end point of arc:	P9→

Step 53. Draw two arcs using the Start, Center, End method (Figure 2-44), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Arc-Start, Center, End
Specify start point of arc or [Center]:	P1→
Specify second point of arc or [Center End]:_c Specify center point of arc:	P2→ (Figure 2-44)
Specify end point of arc or [Angle chord Length]:	P3→
Command:	Arc-Start, Center, End
Specify start point of arc or [Center]:	P4→ (Figure 2-44)
Specify second point of arc or [Center End]:_c Specify center point of arc:	P5→
Specify end point of arc or [Angle chord Length]:	P6→

Step 54. Set Layer3 current.

Step 55. Draw an ellipse by entering points for the minor axis of the ellipse (Figure 2-46), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Ellipse-Axis, End (or type EL <Enter>)
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc Center]:	P1→ (Figure 2-46)
Specify other endpoint of axis:	P2→—With ORTHO on, move your mouse to the right; type 1 <Enter>
Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]:	P3→—With ORTHO on, move your mouse up; type 1 <Enter>

Step 56. Draw an ellipse by entering points for the major axis of the ellipse (Figure 2-46), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Ellipse-Axis, End
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc Center]:	P4→ (Figure 2-46)
Specify other endpoint of axis:	P5→—With ORTHO on, move your mouse to the right; type 2 <Enter>
Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]:	P6→—With ORTHO on, move your mouse up; type 1/2 <Enter>

Step 57. Set Layer1 current.

Step 58. Use the DONUT command to draw a solid ring (Figure 2-47), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	DONUT (or type DO <Enter>)
Specify inside diameter of donut <default>:	Type 1/2 <Enter>
Specify outside diameter of donut <default>:	Type 1 <Enter>
Specify center of donut or <exit>:	Click a point on the drawing
Specify center of donut or <exit>:	<Enter>

Step 59. Use the DONUT command to draw a solid circle (Figure 2-47), as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	<Enter> (repeat DONUT)
Specify inside diameter of donut <0′-0 1/2″>:	Type 0 <Enter> (so there is no center hole)
Specify outside diameter of donut <0′-1″>:	<Enter>
Specify center of donut or <exit>:	Click a point on the drawing
Specify center of donut or <exit>:	<Enter>

The DONUT command can be used to draw solid dots of any size as well as solid rings with different inside and outside diameters.

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	SCALE (or type SC <Enter>)
Select objects:	Window the ring (or click the outside edge of the ring)
Select objects:	<Enter>
Specify base point:	Click the center of the ring
Specify scale factor or [Copy Reference]:	Type .5 <Enter>

The relative scale factor of .5 was used to reduce the solid ring. A relative scale factor of 2 would have enlarged the solid ring.

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	<Enter> (repeat SCALE)
Select objects:	Window the solid donut
Select objects:	<Enter>
Specify base point:	Click the center of the solid donut
Specify scale factor or [Copy Reference] <default>:	Type R <Enter>
Specify reference length <0′-1″>:	<Enter> (to accept 1 as the default)
Specify new length or [Points] <0′-1″>:	Type 2 <Enter>

The Reference option allows you to type and enter a number for the reference (current) length of a drawing entity. You can also enter the reference (current) length by picking two points on the drawing to show AutoCAD the reference (current) length. You can type and enter the new length by using a number, or you can enter it by picking two points on the drawing to show the new length.

Step 63. Add your name, class, and date to the upper right corner of your drawing as described next:

Prompt	Response
Type a command:	Single Line Text (or type DT <Enter>)
Specify start point of text or [Justify Style]:	Click a point in the upper right corner to start typing your name as shown in Figure 2-48
Specify height <default>:	Type 1/8 <Enter>
Specify rotation angle of text <0>:	<Enter> (to accept the 0 default rotation)
The In-Place Text Editor appears:	Type YOUR NAME <Enter> YOUR CLASS <Enter> THE DATE <Enter>
The In-Place Text Editor:	<Enter> (to close the In-Place Text Editor)

Clicking <F2> will show you a full command history of the current session that you can scroll through.

Step 64. When you have completed Tutorial 2-1, Part 2 (Figure 2-48), save your drawing in at least two places.

Tutorial 2-2 Plot Responses for CH2-TUTORIAL1, Using the Model Tab

When you start a new drawing, AutoCAD provides a single Model tab and two Layout tabs at the bottom of the drawing window. Thus far you have been working on the Model tab in model space. Model space is the 2D (and also 3D) environment where you create your drawings. You can also plot (or print) from the Model tab. Tutorial 2-2 describes how to print from the Model tab.

The following is a hands-on, step-by-step tutorial to make a hard copy of CH2-TUTORIAL1.

Step 1. Open drawing CH2-TUTORIAL1 and complete a Zoom-All command so it is displayed on the screen.

Step 2. Make sure the Model tab is current.

Step 3. Click the Plot command from the Quick Access toolbar or type PLOT <Enter> to access the Plot dialog box. Pressing <Ctrl> + P will also access the Plot dialog box.

Step 4. Click the More Options arrow in the lower right corner of the Plot dialog box to display the entire Plot dialog box (Figure 2-50).

Add...: When this button is clicked, the Add Page Setup dialog box is displayed. You can specify a name for the new page setup.

Step 5. Set the Page setup to None.

Properties...: When this button is clicked, the Plotter Configuration Editor (Figure 2-51) is displayed. The Plotter Configuration Editor allows you to view or to modify current plot device information. If None is in the Name: line, Properties... is grayed out.

Custom Properties...: When this button of the Plotter Configuration Editor is clicked, a Properties dialog box for the configured plotter (or printer) appears. Each plotter (or printer) has a unique Properties dialog box; you can customize settings for the vector colors, print quality, and raster corrections for your plotter (or printer) using the Properties dialog box.

Step 6. Select the printer that you will use. If the Name: line does not show the correct plot device, click the down arrow and select the printer that you will use.

If you need to add a plot device, the Plotter Manager (under File in the menu bar) is used to add or modify plotter and printer configuration files.

If you do check the Plot to file button, a file is created with the extension .plt. You can save this plot file and transfer it to any computer connected to a plotter or printer.

Step 7. Select the correct setting for the Plot to file check box for your situation.

Step 8. Set the Plot style table to None.

Step 9. Select the Letter (8.5 × 11 in.) paper size, and 1 for the Number of copies.

Display: This option plots the part of the drawing that is displayed on the screen at the time the plot is made.

Extents: This option plots the drawing extents. The drawing extents are whatever graphics are actually drawn, including any graphics that lie outside the limits of the drawing area.

Limits: This option plots the part of the drawing that lies within the drawing limits. The limits for drawing CH2-TUTORIAL1 are 8-1/2,11.

Window: This selection allows you to pick two corners of a window and plot only the part of the drawing that is within the window. When the Window < button is clicked, it clears the Plot dialog box so you can view your drawing and use your mouse to click the two corners of a window. AutoCAD then returns to the Plot dialog box.

Step 10. Click Extents to select the drawing extents as part of the drawing that is to be printed.

Fit to paper: You may respond by selecting Fit to paper instead of entering a specific scale. When you select this option, AutoCAD scales the selected plot area as large as possible to fit the specified paper size.

When a drawing such as a large house or building is drawn full scale, the text that is added to the drawing also must be large. For instance, if you want the text of a drawing to be 1/8″ high when plotted at a scale of 1/4″ = 1′-0″, the text that you add while drawing full scale will need to be 6″ high, as shown in the 1/4″ = 1′-0″ scale in Figure 2-55.

Annotation scale controls how the text and other annotative objects appear on the drawing. When you make the text annotative and set the annotation scale of the drawing, AutoCAD automatically does the arithmetic for you and controls how the text looks on your screen. When adding the text, you have to enter only the size of the text you want in the plotted drawing, and AutoCAD automatically calculates the size of the text on the drawing using the annotation scale setting.

If you have annotative objects on your drawing and have set the annotation scale, it is usually best to plot your drawing at the same scale as the annotation scale that you have set. If there are no annotative objects on your drawing, the annotation scale does not affect anything. If the plot scale and the annotation scale differ, when the plot is initiated, AutoCAD prompts you with The annotation scale is not equal to the plot scale. Do you wish to Continue? You can answer with OK or Cancel.

Step 11. Select a scale of 1:1, which is 1 plotted inch = 1 drawing unit.

X and Y offset: The plot offset specifies the location of the plot, on the paper, from the lower left corner of the paper. The X: input line moves the plotted drawing in the X direction on the paper, and the Y: input moves the drawing in the Y direction. You can enter either positive or negative values.

Step 12. Place a check in the Center the plot check box.

Notice that the X and Y inputs are automatically calculated to center the selected plotting area (extents) in the paper size (8-1/2″ × 11″).

Plot object lineweights: A check mark in this box tells AutoCAD to plot the drawing using the lineweights you have assigned to any object in the drawing.

Plot transparency: You can enter a transparency value in the Layer dialog box. It is a setting that makes an object more or less transparent. If you have transparent objects in your drawing, this option determines whether the transparency is plotted.

Plot with plot styles: This option allows you to use a plot style. Because you are not using a plot style, this box will not be checked.

Plot paperspace last: When this option is checked, model space will be plotted first. Usually, paper space drawings are plotted before model space drawings.

Hide paperspace objects: The Hide paperspace objects check box refers to 3D objects only. When you use the Hide command, AutoCAD hides any surface on the screen that is behind another surface in 3D space. If you want to do the same on your paper space plot, you must click the Hide paperspace objects check box so that a check appears in the box. This shows only in the full plot preview window.

Another way to hide in paper space is to select the viewport in which you want to have hidden lines, click Properties under Modify in the menu bar, and turn Shade plot to Hidden.

Plot stamp on: A check mark here allows you to place signatures and other stamps on the drawing.

Save changes to layout: Checking this box allows you to save any changes you have made in the Plot dialog box.

Step 13. If there is a check in the Plot with plot styles box, remove the check. Put a check in the Plot object lineweights box. (Plot paperspace last and Hide paperspace objects are grayed out because no Layout tabs were used.)

Portrait: This button allows you to specify a vertical orientation of the drawing on the page.

Landscape: This button allows you to specify a horizontal orientation of the drawing on the page. If a plot shows only half of what should have been plotted, the orientation may need to be changed.

Plot upside-down: This check box allows you to plot the drawing, in a portrait or landscape orientation, upside-down.

Step 14. Select the Portrait orientation.

Step 15. Click the Preview... button.

Preview your plot for CH2-TUTORIAL1, Part 2, Figure 2-56. If there is something wrong with the plot, press the space bar and make the necessary adjustments. If the preview looks OK, press the space bar to end the preview. You may also click the right mouse button to access the menu shown in Figure 2-57.

Step 16. Click OK from the Plot dialog box (or click Plot from the right-click menu).

The plot proceeds from this point. If you have not created a plot file, remove the completed plot from the printer or plotter. If you have created a .plt file, take your disk to the plot station or send your plot via a network.

1. The function key <F7> described in this chapter does which of the following?

a. Flips the screen from the text display

b. Turns snap on or off

c. Turns ORTHO on or off

d. Turns grid on or off

2. Which of the following function keys is used to turn snap on or off?

a. <F2>

b. <F7>

c. <F8>

d. <F9>

3. How many layers may be used in a drawing?

a. 1

b. 16

c. 32

d. An unlimited number

4. AutoCAD provides how many sizes of each standard linetype (except continuous)?

a. 1

b. 2

c. 3

d. As many as you want

5. When the MOVE command is used with a window selection (click left, drag right — not a crossing window):

a. Everything the window touches is selected

b. Everything entirely within the window is selected

c. The last item clicked is selected

d. Nothing is selected

6. When the MOVE command is used with a crossing window selection (click right, drag left):

a. Everything the window contains or touches is selected

b. Everything entirely within the window is selected

c. The last item clicked is selected

d. Nothing is selected

7. Which of the following are small squares that appear on an object when it is selected with no command active?

a. Grips

b. Snaps

c. Squares

d. Rectangles

8. When you plot from the Model tab, which of the following will produce a plot of the part of the drawing that is displayed on the screen?

a. Display

b. Extents

c. Window

d. Limits

9. When you plot from the Model tab, which of the following will produce a plot of the entire drawing, even if part of it is outside the limits?

a. Display

b. Extents

c. Window

d. Limits

10. A drawing that is to be plotted using the Model tab so that it fits on a particular size sheet without regard to the scale requires which scale response?

a. 1:1

b. Full

c. 1:2

d. Fit to paper

1. True or False: The default lower left corner of the drawing limits is 8-1/2,11.

2. True or False: To make the line segment length and spacing larger for a dashed linetype, enter a number larger than 1 at the Ltscale prompt Enter new linetype scale factor <1.000>.

3. True or False: Direct distance entry can be used only when drawing a line.

4. True or False: The 3-point method of drawing arcs allows you to draw arcs clockwise or counterclockwise.

5. True or False: Pressing the <Esc> key cancels a command.

2. Five Visual Styles accessible from the View (pull-down) menu.

3. Five ways to access the Plot command.

4. Five color index numbers and their corresponding colors.

5. Five ways of drawing an arc.

6. Five options of the ZOOM command.

7. Five ways of accessing the ELLIPSE command.

8. Five commands and their respective aliases.

9. Five ways of accessing the Layer Properties Manager palette.

10. Five ways of accessing the single-line text command in AutoCAD.

2. Why would you want to use the Ltscale setting?

3. How can the annotation scale be used to make it easier to draw and plot drawings?

4. Which settings on the status bar do you want to use in your workspace?

5. What are all the selection set options, and how can you use them effectively?

1. Use Save As... to save the drawing with the name CH2-P1.

2. Set drawing units: Architectural

3. Set drawing limits: 8-1/2,11

4. Set GRIDDISPLAY: 0

5. Set grid: 1/4″

6. Set snap: 1/8″

7. Create the following layers:

1. Use Save As... to save the drawing with the name CH2-P2.

2. Set drawing units: Architectural

3. Set drawing limits: 8-1/2,11

4. Set GRIDDISPLAY: 0

5. Set grid: 1/4″

6. Set snap: 1/8″

7. Create the layers on your own.

1. Use Save As... to save the drawing with the name CH2-P3.

2. Set drawing units: Architectural

3. Set drawing limits: 8-1/2,11

4. Set GRIDDISPLAY: 0

5. Set grid: 1/4″

6. Set snap: 1/8″

7. Create the layers on your own.

1. Use Save As... to save the drawing with the name CH2-P4.

2. Set drawing units: Architectural

3. Set drawing limits: 8-1/2,11

4. Set GRIDDISPLAY: 0

5. Set grid: 1/4″

6. Set snap: 1/8″

7. Create the layers on your own.

1. Use Save As... to save the drawing with the name CH2-P5.

2. Set drawing units: Architectural

3. Set drawing limits: 8-1/2,11

4. Set GRIDDISPLAY: 0

5. Set grid: 1/4″

6. Set snap: 1/16″

7. Create the layers on your own.