Select the Save button.
11. Type the description as shown below.
12. Select OK button.
Now you have a template to use for Lessons 2 through 8.
At the beginning of each exercise you will be instructed to start a new drawing using either the inch-helper.dwt or metric-helper.dwt
Using a template as a master setup drawing is very good CAD management.
More on using the template on the next page
The template that you created from the previous pages will be used for lessons 2 through 8. Many variables have been preset in this template. This will allow you to start drawing immediately. You will learn how to set those variables before you complete this Workbook, but for now you will concentrate on learning the AutoCAD commands and hopefully have some fun.
To use a Template
1. Select the New tool from the Quick Access Toolbar.
2. Select Drawing Template (*.dwt) from the “Files of type” if not already selected.
3. Select either the inch-helper.dwt or metric-helper.dwt from the list of templates.
Note: If you do not have these templates, refer to page 2-2 for instructions.
4. Select the Open button.
AutoCAD provides you with 2 different methods for selecting commands.
One is selecting a tool from the Ribbon, the other is typing the command. Both methods will accomplish the same end result. You decide which method you prefer. An example of Method 1 is shown below. Method 2 is on the next page.
Method 1. Selecting a tool from the Ribbon
1. First select a Tab such as Home.
2. Locate the correct Panel such as Draw.
3. Select a tool such as Circle
Method 2. Keyboard entry
You may type commands on the Command line (Shown below) or in the Dynamic Input tooltip (Shown on the next page)
It depends on whether you have Dynamic Input on or off.
Command Line
How to enter a command on the Command Line.
1. Place the cursor in the Command Line area. (Important)
2. Type the first letter of a command, such as c for circle.
3. A list of commands that begin with the letter c will appear. Select the command from the list.
4. When you enter a command such as Circle the prompt and options will be displayed on the command line.
5. The prompt for Circle command asks you to:
“Specify center point for circle” or [ 3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius) ]:
The information within the [ ] brackets are options that you may select.
Dynamic Input
Dynamic Input is another method of inputting commands, values and select options.
To use Dynamic Input you must turn on the Dynamic Input button in the Status Bar, shown on page 1-14.
If you choose to use Dynamic Input the command will be entered in the tooltip box beside the cursor.
How to enter a command using Dynamic Input.
1. Place the cursor in the Drawing Area. (Important)
2. Type the first letter of a command, such as c for circle.
3. A list of commands that begin with the letter c will appear.
4. If you press the
Notice the command entry and prompts are being displayed on the command line also.
Using the Command Line or Dynamic Input is your choice.
A Line can be one segment or a series of connected segments. But each segment is an individual object.
Start the Line command using one of the following methods:
Lines are drawn by specifying the locations for each endpoint.
Move the cursor to the location of the “first” endpoint (1) then press the left mouse button and release. (Click and release, do Click and Drag) Move the cursor again to the “next” endpoint (2) and press the left mouse button. Continue locating “next” endpoints until you want to stop drawing lines.
There are 2 ways to Stop drawing a line:
Press the <enter> key or press the <Space Bar>
Helpful hint:
To quickly repeat the Line command, press the <Space Bar>.
Horizontal and Vertical Lines
To draw a Line perfectly Horizontal or Vertical select the Ortho mode by selecting the Ortho button on the Status Bar