Introduction to AutoCAD 2016

2D and 3D Design

Bernd S. Palm, Alf Yarwood

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN:
  9781138925854
• eBook ISBN:
  9781317406457
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Civil Engineering
• Index: Computer Science

Master the complexities of the world's bestselling 2D and 3D software with Introduction to AutoCAD 2016. Ideally suited to new users of AutoCAD, this book will be a useful resource for drawing modules in both vocational and introductory undergraduate courses in engineering and construction.

A comprehensive, step-by-step introduction to the latest release of AutoCAD. Covering all the basic principles and acting as an introduction to 2D drawing, it also contains extensive coverage of all 3D topics, including 3D solid modelling and rendering.

• Written by a member of the Autodesk Developer Network.
• Hundreds of colour pictures, screenshots and diagrams illustrate every stage of the design process.
• Worked examples and exercises provide plenty of practice material to build proficiency with the software.

Further education students in the UK will find this an invaluable textbook for City & Guilds AutoCAD qualifications as well as the relevant Computer Aided Drawing units of BTEC National Engineering, Higher National Engineering and Construction courses from Edexcel. Students enrolled in Foundation Degree courses containing CAD modules will also find this a very useful reference and learning aid.

Part A
2D Design

Chapter 1
Introducing AutoCAD 2016

Aims of this Chapter

The contents of this chapter are designed to introduce features of the AutoCAD 2016 window and methods of operating AutoCAD 2016.

Opening AutoCAD 2016

AutoCAD 2016 is designed to work in a Windows operating system. In general, to open AutoCAD 2016 double-click on the AutoCAD shortcut in the Windows desktop (Fig. 1.1).

Fig. 1.1 The AutoCAD 2016 shortcut on the Windows desktop

When working in education or in industry, computers may be configured to allow other methods of opening AutoCAD, such as a list appearing on the computer in use when the computer is switched on, from which the operator can select the program he/she wishes to use.

When AutoCAD 2016 is opened, the Start page appears, giving access to recent drawings, system information and the Start Drawing button (Fig. 1.2). After starting a new drawing a new window is shown, depending upon whether a 3D Basics, a 3D Modeling, or a Drafting & Annotation workspace has been set as QNEW (in the Options dialog). In this example, the Drafting & Annotation workspace is shown and includes the Ribbon with Tool panels (Fig. 1.3). The Drafting & Annotation workspace shows the following details:

Ribbon: which includes tabs, each of which when clicked will include a set of panels containing tool icons. Other tool panels can be seen by clicking an appropriate tab.

Fig. 1.2 The Start Page

Fig. 1.3 The AutoCAD 2016 Drafting & Annotation workspace

Fig. 1.4 The Menu Browser

Menu Browser icon: A left-click on the arrow to the right of the A symbol at the top left-hand corner of the AutoCAD 2016 window causes the Menu Browser menu to appear (Fig. 1.4). Workspaces Switching menu: appears with a click on the Workshop Switching button in the status bar (Fig. 1.5). Command line: can be changed as shown in Fig 1.6. Tool panels: each includes tool icons appropriate to the panel. Taking the Home/Draw panel as an example, Fig. 1.7 shows that placing the mouse cursor on one of the tool icons in a panel brings a tooltip on screen showing details of how the tool can be used. Two types of tooltip can be used in AutoCAD 2016. In the majority of future illustrations of tooltips, the smaller version will be shown. Other tool icons have popup menus appearing with a click. In the example given in Fig. 1.8, place the cursor over the Circle tool icon and a tooltip appears. A click on the arrow to the right of the tool icon brings down a popup menu showing the construction method options available for the tool. Quick Access toolbar: The toolbar at the top left of the AutoCAD 2016 window holds several icons, one of which is the Open tool icon. A click on the icon opens the Select File dialog (Fig. 1.9). Navigation bar: contains several tools that may be of value.

Fig. 1.5 The Workspace Switching popup menu

Fig. 1.6 The command palette when dragged from its position at the bottom of the AutoCAD window

Fig. 1.7 The extended tooltip appearing with a click on the Line tool icon

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Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• PART A - 2D DESIGN
• PART B - 3D DESIGN
• PART C - INTERNET TOOLS AND DESIGN
• APPENDICES
• Index