Introduction of Auto CAD

 Introduction of Auto CAD

Welcome to the Learning AutoCAD 2010 and AutoCAD LT 2010 Autodesk Official Training Guide, a

training guide for use in Authorized Training Center 

Although this guide is designed for instructor-led courses, you can also use it for self-paced learning.

The guide encourages self-learning through the use of the AutoCAD® or AutoCAD LT® Help system.

This introduction covers the following topics:

• Course objectives
• Prerequisites
•  Using this guide
•  Default installation
•  CD contents
•  Completing the exercises
•  Settings for the exercises
•  Installing the exercise data files from the CD
•  Imperial and metric datasets
•  Notes, tips, and warnings

This guide is complementary to the software documentation. For detailed explanations of features and

functionality, refer to the Help in the software.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

•  Navigate the interface, open and close files, and use the Zoom commands to adjust the display of

objects on the screen.

•  Describe units, function keys, and coordinate systems and create basic objects, using different data

input techniques, object snaps, object snap tracking, polar tracking, and PolarSnap.

•  Select, modify, and adjust the properties of objects using object grips and the Move, Copy, Rotate,
• Mirror, and Array commands.n Create and manage layers and linetypes and obtain geometric information from objects in the

drawing.

•  Modify objects by changing their size, shape, orientation, or geometric composition using Trim,

Extend, Offset, Join, and other commands.

•  Create layouts, and create and manipulate viewports on the layouts.
•  Create and edit annotation objects using multiline and single line text.
•  Create, edit, and manage dimensions and dimension styles.

x n Introduction

• Enhance the drawing's visual appearance with hatch patterns and gradient fills.
•  Create blocks and reuse them in your drawings using the Insert command, DesignCenter, and

tool palettes. Utilize the DesignCenter and tool palettes to insert and create other content in your

drawings.

•  Create multiple segmented polyline objects, create the smooth curve objects of splines and

ellipses, and add tables to your drawings.

•  Create and use page setups, and plot your designs from layouts and model space.
•  Use drawing templates to simplify the process of creating new drawings that contain all the

required dimension styles, text styles, and layers that you would otherwise create manually, each

time you create a new drawing.

Prerequisites

This guide is designed for the new user who needs to know the essential commands necessary for

professional 2D drawing, design, and drafting using AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT. No previous computeraided

design (CAD) experience is required.

It is recommended that you have a working knowledge of:

•  Microsoft® Windows® XP, or Microsoft® Vista®.
•  Drafting and design experience is a plus.

Using This Guide

The lessons are independent of each other. However, it is recommended that you complete

these lessons in the order that they are presented unless you are familiar with the concepts and

functionality described in those lessons.

Each chapter contains:

•  Lessons: Usually two or more lessons in each chapter.
•  Exercises: Practical, real-world examples for you to practice using the functionality you have just

learned. Each exercise contains step-by-step procedures and graphics to help you complete the

exercise successfully.

Default Installation

The information in this guide is presented in such a way that it is assumed you have installed AutoCAD

or AutoCAD LT using the default installation parameters. You should be using the 2D Drafting &

Annotation workspace as your active workspace throughout the course. You will learn how to do this

in Chapter 1.

CD Contents

The CD attached to the back cover of this book contains all the data and drawings you need to

complete the exercises in this guide.

Completing the Exercises

You can complete the exercise in two ways: using the book or the onscreen version.

•  Using the book: Follow the step-by-step exercises in the book.
•  Onscreen: Click the Learning AutoCAD 2010 icon on your desktop, installed from the CD, and

follow the step-by-step exercises on screen. The onscreen exercises are the same as those in the

book. The onscreen version has the advantage that you can concentrate on the screen without

having to glance down at your book.

After launching the on-screen exercises, you might need to alter the size of your application window to

align both windows.

Settings for the Exercises

Each exercise is written with the assumption that the following Object Snap settings are active. You

might need to confirm these settings for each exercise.

Each exercise is written with the assumption that the following Status Bar options are turned ON. If

necessary adjust these options when you open the dataset for each exercise.

Installing the Exercise Data Files from the CD

To install the data files for the exercises:

1.

Insert the CD.

2.

Double-click the self-extracting archive setup.exe.

Unless you specify a different folder, the exercise files are installed in the following folder:

C:\Autodesk Learning\AutoCAD 2010\Learning AutoCAD 2010\

After you install the data from the CD, this folder contains all the files necessary to complete each

exercise in this guide.

The datasets and exercises can be used with AutoCAD LT. The location of the files

will be the same whether you are using AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT. The name of the

shortcut for the online version of the exercises is named Learning AutoCAD 2010, but

can also be used with AutoCAD LT 2010.

Imperial and Metric Datasets

For some of the exercises that specify units of measurement, alternative exercise tables are provided.

You will see a note stating that an imperial and metric version are available. An example of the file

naming convention is as follows:

•  Open i_stair_settings.dwg (imperial) or m_stair_settings.dwg (metric).

In the exercise steps, you will see either the imperial or metric value as shown in the following

example:

•  For Length, enter 13'2".
•  For Length, enter 4038 mm.

For exercises with no specific units of measurement, files are provided as shown in the following

example:

•  Open c_stair_settings.dwg (common).

In the exercise steps, the unitless value is specified as shown in the following example:

•  For Length, enter 400.