Getting Started with AutoCAD

Introduction to Drawing and Modify Commands

AutoCAD allows you to have access to a large number of commands. The general rule is that you will use 20% of the commands 80% of the time. We will start by introducing you to the most common drawing commands. When you combine these with the basic modify commands, you will be able to make elaborate drawings quite quickly.

The important thing to remember is that AutoCAD will expect you give it information in a very particular order. The most frustrating thing when you begin using this program is that you will try to do something, but AutoCAD will 'not work'. In most cases, it means that you are trying to input information at the wrong time. This is why it is very important to be in the habit of looking at the command line.

The command line tells you what information AutoCAD requires to continue.

Your first drawing assignment will be to use the drawing commands in conjunction with the co-ordinate system defined above. This is a basic assignment, but it is very important to understand how to give the program accurate information. You will use the following commands:

Command Keystroke Icon Menu Result Line Line / L Draw > Line Draw a straight line segment from one point to the next Circle Circle / C Draw > Circle > Center, < Radius Draws a circle based on a center point and radius. Erase Erase / E Modify > Erase Erases an object. Print Print / Plot Cntl+P File > Print Enables the Print/Plot Configuration Dialog Box Undo U (Don't use 'Undo' for now) Edit > Undo Undoes the last command.