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and Explanations
Act. 2
CIRCLE Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The CIRCLE command allows you to create circles that originate from a single
center point, that pass through 2 points, that pass through 3 points, or that are
tangent to two elements.
To access the Circle command you can:
click on the Circle button,
OR
type c or circle at a Command: prompt,
OR
select Circle under the Draw Menu.
Center Point and Radius or Diameter
Activate the CIRCLE command.
Prompt: Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: Press
ENTER to accept the default selection of "Center point."
Locate the circle's center by using an Osnap (Object Snap),
an Absolute Coordinate, a Relative Rectangular Coordinate, or Relative Polar
Coordinate.
Prompt: Specify radius of circle or [Diameter]:Type a value for the radius of the
circle and press the Enter key (see NOTE below).
NOTE: Radius is AutoCAD's default selection, but Diameter is also an option at this
prompt. To enter a numeric value for the Radius at this prompt, type in the number
and press Enter. To enter a Diameter value, type d for Diameter, press Enter, and
type in the numeric value for the diameter at the next prompt.
A circle should appear.
Tangent, Tangent, Radius
Activate the CIRCLE command (see methods above)
Prompt: Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]:
Type t and then press the Enter key to accept the tangent, tangent, radius option.
Prompt: Specify point on object for first tangent of circle: Use the LEFT mouse
button to click on the first tangent element, approximately where the circle will
touch.
Prompt: Specify point on object for second tangent of circle: Use the mouse to
click on the second tangent element, approximately where the circle will touch.
Prompt: Specify radius of circle <0.500>: Type in a radius value and
the Enter key,
OR
type d for diameter and then press the Enter key.
If you are using a diameter, AutoCAD now asks for a diameter value. Type in the
number and press Enter.
A circle should appear.
3 Points
Activate the CIRCLE command (see methods above)
Prompt: Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: Type 3p
and then press the Enter key to accept the the three point option.
Prompt: Specify first point on circle: Use an Absolute Coordinate, Relative
Rectangular Coordinate, Relative Polar Coordinate, or Osnap to locate the first
point through which the circle will pass.
Prompt: Specify second point on circle: Use an Absolute Coordinate, Relative
Rectangular Coordinate, Relative Polar Coordinate, or Osnap to locate the second
point through which the circle will pass.
Prompt: Specify third point on circle: Use an Absolute Coordinate, Relative
Rectangular Coordinate, Relative Polar Coordinate, or Osnap to locate the third
point through which the circle will pass.
2 Points
Activate the CIRCLE command (see methods above)
Prompt: Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: Type 2p
and then press the Enter key to accept the two point option.
Prompt: Specify first end point of circle's diameter: Use an Absolute
Coordinate, Relative Rectangular Coordinate, Relative Polar Coordinate, or
Osnap to locate the first point through which the circle will pass.
Prompt: Specify second end point of circle's diameter: Use an Absolute
Coordinate, Relative Rectangular Coordinate, Relative Polar Coordinate, or
Osnap to locate the second point through which the circle will pass.
DDEDIT Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The DDEDIT command allows you to edit existing text.
To access the DDEDIT command you can:
type ed at a Command: prompt and press Enter
OR
select Text..., under the Modify Menu.
Prompt: Select an annotation object or [Undo}: place the cursor over the text and
click the LEFT mouse button.
A dialogue window appears displaying the text you selected.
You can modify the text and close the window to accept the changes
OR
click on additional text to continue making changes until you press Enter.
DTEXT Command:
AutoCAD Command List
select Text, and then Single Line Text..., under the Draw Menu,
OR
--Prompt: Specify height <3>: Enter a new value for the text height or press Enter to
move to the next prompt.
--Prompt: Specify rotation angle of text <0>: Enter a new value for the angle of the
text or press Enter to move to the next prompt.
--Prompt: Enter text: Type in additional text or press Enter to exit the command.
ERASE Command:
AutoCAD Command List
Allows you to remove whole entities in a drawing.
To select the Erase command you can:
click on the Erase button,
OR
select Erase under the Modify Menu,
OR
type e for (erase) at a Command: prompt and then press Enter.
Prompt: Select objects: Use the LEFT mouse button to click on the object/s you
wish to erase and press Enter.
NOTE: If you want to erase everything in the file, type all at the Select objects:
prompt and press Enter.
EXPLODE Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The EXPLODE command allows you to change a grouped item into its
individual elements so it can be edited.
To select the Explode command you can:
click on the Explode button on the Draw toolbar,
OR
type x or explode at a Command: prompt,
OR
select Explode under the Modify Menu.
Prompt: Select objects:. Click on item/s to explode and press Enter.
EXTEND Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The EXTEND command allows you to extend an entity to touch another entity in
a drawing.
To access the Extend command you can:
click the Extend button,
OR
select Extend under the Modify Menu,
OR
type extend at a Command: prompt and press Enter.
Prompt: Current settings: Projection=UCS Edge=None
Select boundary edge(s)...
Select objects: Click on the item(s) that you wish to use as a boundary. The
boundary is the object you want to extend an element TO (you can select more than
one boundary edge so that multiple extensions can be made at one time). Press Enter
or click the right mouse button to end the boundary selection process.
Prompt: Select object to extend or [Project/Edge/Undo]: Click on the end of the
line you want AutoCAD to extend (on the side that should be extented).
AutoCAD is directional in this command. If you have more than one boundary edge
selected, or the boundary edge could intersect the object at more than one end (as with
an arc), it is possible to extend the element in the wrong direction.
Prompt: Select object to extend or [Project/Edge/Undo]: If you have other lines to
extend, you can continue selecting them or, if an element was extended incorrectly,
you can type u and press Enter to undo the mistake. After all of the extensions are
complete, press Enter to exit the command.
INSERT Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The INSERT command allows you to insert the contents of a file into another
file.
To select the Insert command you can select Block... under the Insert Menu.
In the Insert dialogue box: Click on the File... button, which brings up the
Select Drawing File dialogue box.
Locate the file you wish to insert through this dialogue box and click on Open to
return to the Insert dialogue box.
Prompt: Specify insertion point or
[Scales/X/Y/Z/Rotate/PScale/PX/PY/PZ/Protate]: Either place the cursor and click
with the LEFT mouse button, use an Osnap, an Absolute Coordinate, a Relative
Rectangular Coordinate, or a Relative Polar Coordinate to locate the inserted
object's position.
Prompt: Enter X scale factor, specify opposite corner, or [Corner/XYZ] <1>:
Type a value to scale the inserted object in the X direction or press Enter to keep the
block its original size in the X direction.
Prompt: Enter Y scale factor <use X scale factor>:): Type a value to scale the
inserted object in the Y direction or press Enter to accept same scale factor used for
X.
Prompt: Specify rotation angle <0>: Type a desired angle or press Enter to accept
original angle of the inserted item.
*NOTE: If you slide your mouse around during several Insert command prompts,
the size, shape, and angle of the inserted object may change. AutoCAD's default
selection is a "mouse pick" (a click of the LEFT mouse button in the drawing
area), and it is preparing to use that option, which accounts for the changes in the
inserted object's look during the command prompts.
LAYER: Command
AutoCAD Command List
The LAYER command allows you to create multiple layers to draw on. It also
allows you to control the color, line type, activity, and visibility of individual
layers.
To Change to an Existing Layer:
(Note: The figure above has been shortened.)
To add a new layer or change layer properties through the Layer Properties
Manager dialogue box you can:
click on the Layer button
OR
select Layer..., under the Format Menu.
The Layer Properties Manager dialogue box will appear.
To Create a New Layer:
Open the Layer Properties Manager dialogue box. , click on the New button. A
layer named Layer 1 will appear in the list of layers.
While the Layer 1 name is highlighted, type a new name for the layer.
Click on OK to exit the dialogue box.
To Load a Linetype:
Open the Layer Properties Manager dialogue box.
Click on the Linetype name displayed in the row that indicates the properties for a
layer. The Select Linetype dialogue box will appear.
Click on the Load button at the bottom of this dialogue box. The Load or Reload
Linetypes dialogue box will appear.
To Change the Linetype of a Layer:
Open the Layer Properties Manager dialogue box.
Click on the linetype listed in the configurations beside that layer name in the Layer
Properties Manager window.
The Select Linetypes dialogue box will appear listing the loaded linetypes. Locate
the linetype, click on it, and then on OK to exit the dialogue box.
To Change the Color of the Layer:
Open the Layer Properties Manager dialogue box.
Click on the square in the list of configurations next to the layer name in the Layer
Properties Manager window.
The Select Color dialogue box appears with a display of the colors you can choose.
Click on an appropriate color. (NOTE: The color assignment is related to the printing
line thickness.)
Click on OK to return to the Layer Properties Manager dialogue box. Click
on OK to exit this dialogue box.
To Change the Line thickness of a Layer:
Click on the Lineweight (looks like a line) under the heading Lineweight in the line
of the properties for that layer.
The Lineweight dialogue box will appear.
Scroll down to the line thickness you wish to use, and click on thickness you wish to
use. Click on OK to return to the Layer Properties Manager. Click on OK to exit
this dialogue box.
To Delete a Layer:
Open the Layer Properties Manager dialogue box.
Click on the layer name, and then the Delete button. Click on OK to exit the dialogue
box.
To Change the Name of a Layer:
Open the Layer Properties Manager dialogue box.
Click on the layer name with the LEFT mouse button to highlight the name.
Type in a new name.
Click on OK.
To Make a Layer Invisible:
On the Layer Status Window dropdown menu, locate the name of the layer.
Click on the lightbulb in the list beside the layer name. The lightbulb will turn
gray to indicate that the layer is invisible.
NOTE: The lightbulb is a toggle between invisible and visible.
LINE Command:
OR
OR
--Prompt: Specify next point or [Undo]: Give the location for the second end of the
line.
--Prompt: Specify next point or [Undo]: Either give a location for the end of the next
line, which will be attached to the last endpoint you added, or press Enter to end the
line and exit the Line command.
*NOTE: You can continue to add lines to the last endpoint of the previous line until
you press the Enter key twice to exit the command.
OFFSET Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The OFFSET command allows you to copy selected entities (lines, arcs, circles,
plines or others) and place the copy at a specific distance from the original or
through an existing position on another element (such as the endpoint of a line,
center of a circle, etc.). An OFFSET item will be parallel or concentric to its
original.
OR
OR
--Prompt: Specify offset distance or through <through>: Press Enter to select the
default of through (for through a position on another entity) or type a value for the
distance you want the offset to be from the original.
--Prompt: Select object to offset or <exit>: Place the cursor on the element you wish
to copy and click the LEFT mouse button. The selected object will change to a dashed
line. Only one feature can be selected.
If Through was selected:
NOTE: The last prompt will continue until you press Enter TWICE to get back to a
Command: prompt and exit the Offset command.
AutoCAD Command List
The OOPS command allows you to restore the LAST thing you erased and is
typed in at a Command: prompt.
To use the Oops command, type oops at the Command: prompt and then press
Enter. The last thing you erased will reappear.
OPEN Command:
AutoCAD Command List
This command opens a file that has already been created.
To open a file you can:
type in open at a Command: prompt,
OR
select Open under the File Menu,
OR
double click the Left Mouse button on the file.
For the first two methods of accessing this command, a dialogue box will open
displaying the current directory and the files in that directory.
OBJECT SNAPS (OSNAP):
AutoCAD Command List
OSNAPs allows you to select positions on components in a drawing for locating
other features.
You can select Osnaps by:
clicking on the tool button icon (see above)
OR
typing an Osnap alias on the prompt line when needed (SEE EXPLANATION
BELOW).
When an Osnap is used, the CURSOR changes shape when it is near a position that
matches the Osnap selected and "snaps" to that point. The cursor shape differs with
each Osnap.
*NOTE: Although you can set an Osnap(s) to stays active all the time (select
Running Object Snaps under the Tools Menu), this should only be used for
repetitive snap constructions. If you forget to turn the Osnap off and start a new task,
you end up snapping to the wrong features.
OSNAP Commands and typed abbreviations:
Typed
Osnap
Command
type
and Use
cen
Center
Snaps to the center of a circle or arc. Click the left mouse button when the
cursor is on the edge of the circle or arc you wish to use.
End end
point
Snaps to the endpoint of a line, polyline, or arc. Place the cursor over the
specific end of the entity you wish to snap to and click the left mouse
button.
ins
Insert
Locates the insertion point of text or a block. Place the cursor anywhere on
the block or line of text and click the left mouse button.
Inter
int
section
Allows you to select the intersection between two items. Place the locating
square over the intersection and click with the left mouse button.
mid
Midpoint
Snaps to the midpoint of a line or arc. Click near the entity's midpoint.
nea
Nearest
Locates the point or entity nearest the cursor position. Place the cursor near
the item you wish to select and click the left mouse button.
nod
Node
Snaps to a point entity. You must position the cursor square so that it
contains the point and click with the left mouse button.
per
Perpen
This option locates a perpendicular point on an adjacent entity. It will only
dicular
function as the second location in a command. Place the cursor on a line or
straight pline segment near the perpendicular location and click with the left
mouse button.
qua
Quadrant
Locates the 0, 90, 180, or 270 degree position (quadrants) of a circle. Place
the cursor near the quadrant point and click the left mouse button when the
cursor changes shape.
tan
Tangent
Places an entity at the tangent point of an arc or circle. Place the cursor on
the arc or circle as near as possible to the expected tangent point and click
the left mouse button.
PLOT Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The PLOT command allows you to print the drawing.
To access the Plot command you can:
type plot at a Command: prompt and press Enter
OR
click on the Printer button.
In the Plot Device/Plot Settings dialogue box make the following changes:
Inside the Plot Device dialogue box, find the Name: window. Use the arrow, on the
Right side of this window, to select the name of the printer at your location. It should
now show in the Name: window.
Now click on the Plot Settings tab to move to that dialogue box. Inside the Plot
Settings dialogue box make sure that these items are selected
-In the radio button under the heading Paper size make sure that mm is selected.
-In the window next to the heading Paper size, use the drop down menu to select A
size paper is showing or make sure that it is displayed.
-Under the heading Drawing orientation, make sure that the radio button next to
Landscape is selected.
-Under the heading Plot area, select Extents by clicking on the radio button next
to that category. This tells AutoCAD to print to the "extent" of the drawing.
-If not already selected, use the drop-down menu next to Scale to change the scale
to 1:1.
-Under the heading Plot offset, click on the check box to the left of the label:
Center the plot.
-Under the Plot Options heading, remove the check by Plot with Plot Styles.
**Help NOTE: If you are in inches and change to mm the scale will change and you
must set it again.
POLYGON Command:
The POLYGON command allows you to create regular polygons (polygons with
equal sides and angles).
OR
OR
--Prompt: Enter number of sides <4>: Type in a value for the number of sides for the
polygon.
--Prompt: Specify center of polygon or [Edge]: Select the location for the polygon's
center with an Absolute Coordinate, a Relative Rectangular Coordinate, a
Relative Polar Coordinates, or an Osnap and press Enter.
--Prompt: Enter an option [Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed about circle]: Type i
(for across the corners) or c (for across the flats) and then press Enter.
--Prompt: Specify radius of circle: Type a value for the radius and press Enter.
QUIT Command:
AutoCAD Command List
Exits the AutoCAD Program.
To access the Quit command you can:
select Exit under the File Menu
OR
type quit at a Command: prompt.
RELATIVE POLAR COORDINATES:
AutoCAD Command List
RELATIVE POLAR COODINATES allow you to select a point that is a specific
length and at a specific angle to the last point indicated.
To locate a point using a Relative Polar Coordinate:
type @, the length of the line,
a more than symbol (< )
followed by the desired angle of the line.
DO NOT add spaces between the @, the line length value, the < symbol, and the
angle value. (SEE EXAMPLES BELOW)
Example: 1
If you are in the Line command and type @11<45, AutoCAD selects a point that is
11mm long and at a 45 degree angle from the last point given.
Example: 2
If you are in the Line command and type @8<45, AutoCAD selects a point that is 8
mm long and at a negative 45 degree angle from the last point given.
RELATIVE RECTANGULAR
COORDINATES:
AutoCAD Command List
A RELATIVE RECTANGULAR COORDINATE allows you to specify a
position along the Xaxis, Yaxis, and Zaxis (if needed) to locate a point relative
to the last point you specified.
To locate a point using the Relative Rectangular Coordinate system, type @ and
then the Xvalue, Yvalue, and, if needed, the Zvalue, separated by commas and no
spaces.
Example:
If your last point was at 12,8 (see FIGURE below), you can type @11,7 and
AutoCAD will locate an entity or point 11 along the x axis and 7 along the y axis
from the 12,8 point.
The equivalent absolute coordinate of @11,7 would be 23,15 or 12+11 on the Xaxis,
and 8+7 on the Yaxis.
ROTATE Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The ROTATE command allows you to rotate an object(s) around a point of
reference on the XY plane.
To select the Rotate command you can:
select Rotate under the Modify Menu,
OR
type rotate at a Command: prompt and press Enter,
OR
Click on the Rotate button.
Prompt: Select objects: Click on object(s) you wish to rotate and
press Enter.
Prompt: Basepoint: Use an Osnap command, an Absolute Coordinate, a Relative
Rectangular Coordinate, or a Relative Polar Coordinate, and press Enter to identify
the point to rotate the object through.
If an Osnap is used:
The next prompt is: of: Place the element to snap to in the square cursor icon.
Prompt: Angle>/Reference: Type an angle of rotation and press Enter. The
object will rotate the degrees indicated. NOTE: The angle can be a positive or
negative number.
SAVE AS Command:
AutoCAD Command List
Allows you to save a file under a new name.
To access the Save As command you can:
select Save As... under the File Menu
OR
type save at a Command: prompt.
A dialogue box will appear giving you options that include a name and a location
change if you wish to save the file to a new place.
TRIM Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The TRIM command allows you to shorten an entity to an intersection or
remove a section of an entity between two intersections.
To select the Trim command you can:
type trim and pressing Enter at a Command: prompt,
OR
select Trim under the Modify menu,
OR
click on the Trim button.
Prompt: Select cutting edges(s)...
Select objects:
Click on entity or entities that the element should be trimmed back to or between.
See FIGURE below.
Prompt: Select objects:
Prompt repeats to allow you to continue selecting boundary edges. You can trim more
than one element at a time.
Press the Enter key to tell AutoCAD you are through selecting boundary entities.
Prompt: <Select object to trim>/Project
/Edge/Undo: Click on the part of the objects you wish to remove.
Prompt: <Select object to trim>/Project
/Edge/Undo: Either select additional objects that you wish to trim or press Enter to
exit the command.
UNDO and REDO: Command
AutoCAD Command List
UNDO REDO
UNDO and U will undo the last thing or group of things that you did. REDO will
redo a command that was previously UNDONE.
To Undo the Last Thing You Did:
Type u at a Command: prompt and press Enter.
The last thing you did will be reversed.
NOTE: You can use u inside of many commands to undo something without having
to exit the command. It is listed as one of the options.
For Example:
If you are in the Line command and place the endpoint of a line incorrectly, type u
at the next prompt and AutoCAD will remove the last point you added.
To Undo Mulitple Steps:
Use the Undo command to reverse multiple steps.
You can access the Undo command by:
typing undo at a Command: prompt,
OR
selecting the Undo button.
AutoCAD will ask you for the number of steps you wish to undo.
Type in the number of steps and press Enter.
To Redo the Last Undo:
Use the Redo command to reverse the last undo.
You can access the Redo command by:
typing redo at a Command: prompt and pressing Enter,
OR
selecting the Redo button .
NOTE: REDO will only undo the last Undo and must be used immediately after the
Undo.
ZOOM Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The ZOOM command allows you to change the display size of a drawing on the
computer screen.
To select the Zoom command you can:
select Zoom on the View Menu
OR
type z or zoom at a Command: prompt.
Prompt: Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP) or
[All/Center/Dynamic/ Extents/Previous/Scale/Window] <Realtime>: Type the
capital letter of the Zoom option you wish to use. The default option is Realtime.
Useful Zoom selections:
Extents
Zooms to the edges of the drawing.
Previous
Returns to the last Zoom view.
During this Zoom option, the cursor changes to a magnifying glass. To
use Realtime Zoom, click and hold down the LEFT mouse button in the
Realtime
drawing area and slide the mouse up and down to change the drawing
display size. To exit, press the Esc key or click the right mouse button for
further options.
Vmax Zooms out to farthest limits of drawing space. This command is not
listed as an option by the Zoom prompts. Type a v when the Zoom option
type v list appears in the prompt window to select this option.
Click the LEFT mouse button in the drawing area, let go of the button,
Window drag the mouse to form a rectangular selection area, and click LEFT
button again. The part of the drawing contained in the selection area will
enlarge.
Type a scale factor followed by the letter X.
Scale X Example:
If you type 2x, AutoCAD doubles the current view of the drawing on the
screen. If you type .5x, it halves the view of the drawing on the screen.
Allows you to scale a view in the Model side of Paper Space. To use
Zoom XP Zoom XP, click in a viewport window and activate the Zoom command.
At the prompt, type a zoom factor followed by the letters XP.
Example: 1xp returns the view to the original projected size and 2xp
would make the view in the window twice the paper units.
BLOCK Command:
AutoCAD Command List
The BLOCK command allows you to group items and then store them in a file so
that they can be recalled as needed. The BLOCK command is frequently used in
situations where a particular part or element is used multiple times in a drawing.
This saves time by reducing the need to create the same item over and over.
To create a Block you can:
type block at a Command: prompt,
OR
select Block under the Draw Menu.
Creating a Block
Activate the BLOCK command.
The Block dialogue box will appear.
In the Name: window, type a name for the block.
Under the Objects heading, click on the Select objects button. AutoCAD will
return you to the drawing screen so you can select the items you wish to include in the
block. Press Enter to return to the Block dialogue box.
Under the Basepoint heading either: click on the Pick point button
OR
type a coordinate number in the windows labeled X, Y, and Z.
NOTE: This allows you to select the point in the block that will be used as an
insertion point when you bring the block back into a drawing or Layout window.
Pick point allows you to select a specfic point of the block to use as an insertion point
using an Osnap (Object Snap),
an Absolute Coordinate, a Relative Rectangular Coordinate, or Relative Polar
Coordinate. Press Enter to return to the Block dialogue box.
Typing in the X, Y, and Z windows selects an Absolute Coordinate point for the
Basepoint.
Look at the window next to the Insert units: heading. If not already showing
Millimeters, use the Arrow, on the Right side of this window, to display the drop
down menu and select Millimeters.