Introduction to AutoCAD: 2D Drawing Production

• User Interface and Terminology: Productivity with AutoCAD depends substantially on an appreciation of the user interface, which allows different styles of use. In most cases there is a generic basis to the elements of the interface.
• Drawing, Erasing, Limits & Aids: Use of the line primitive allows rapid start up for simple drawing work using absolute coordinates and more intuitive, relative coordinates. Unlike with the physical counterpart, amendments are readily carried out. Defining a working area allows the user to work at full size avoiding the complications of scale. Use of a snap grid is seen a possible route to rapid and accurate constructions.
• Save, Exit, Open and Standard Sheet: Management of drawings is an important issue for commercial activity. Corporate style can be maintained by setting up a Standard Sheet format.
• Lines, Coordinates and Circles: Once a number of primitive entities are mastered, complex drawings can be produced with ease.
• Snap, Arc, Donut and Ellipse: Snap is AutoCAD's device for ensuring that the different parts of a drawing are precisely located and joined up. Further primitive entities are introduced to extend the repertoire of drawing tools, including arc, circle and eclipse.
• Fillet, Chamfer, Offset, Extend, Trim, Copy, Move & Rotate: Using these commands, the student will be able to modify a drawing in a number of practical ways, including adding fillets and chamfers. The application of 'snap' is seen to be fundamental in activities such as copying, moving and rotating objects.
• Layers: Layers give the way to organising and separating out information on a drawing, hiding information that is not currently required, for example.
• Text, Dimensioning, Scale and Print Projects, Demonstrations of advanced features: An individual project is completed and demonstrations given of advanced features, such as animation and use of the internet.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• operate the user interface;
• complete exercises using the majority of AutoCAD tools;
• produce and edit 2D scale drawings using layers and other tools;
• plot out drawings to scale and other requirements.