Introduction to AutoCAD 2010

Alf Yarwood

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2010
• ISBN:
  9781136438677
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Informatik
• Subtopic: CAD-CAM

Alf Yarwood provides a practical, structured course of work matched to the latest release of AutoCAD. After introducing first principles and the creation of 2D technical drawings, he goes on to demonstrate the construction of 3D solid drawings, surface model drawings and rendering. All the new features of the 2010 software release are taken into account and the increasing emphasis on 3D solid modelling in the software is reflected in the book. The 2D chapters are also suitable for those learning how to use AutoCAD LT 2010.Suitable for all new users of AutoCAD, this book is particularly applicable to vocational and introductory level undergraduate courses in engineering and construction. Further Education students in the UK will find this an ideal textbook to cater for the City & Guilds 4353 and 2303 qualifications and the relevant CAD units of BTEC National and BTEC Higher National Engineering and Construction schemes from Edexcel. Many Foundation Degrees also contain CAD modules for which this book can be of use.Readers will also be able to visit a free companion website at http://books.elsevier.com/companions/9781856178686, where they will find worked solutions and AutoCAD drawing files of stages and results for the exercises in the book, as well as further exercises and multiple-choice questions with answers.

Part 1

2D Design

Chapter 1

Introducing AutoCAD 2010

Aim of this Chapter

The contents of this chapter are designed to introduce features of the AutoCAD 2010 window and methods of operating AutoCAD 2010.

Opening AutoCAD 2010

AutoCAD 2010 is designed to work in a Windows operating system. In general, to open AutoCAD 2010, either left-click on the AutoCAD 2010shortcut in the Windows desktop (Fig. 1.1). Depending on how details in Initial Setup… in the Options dialog (Fig. 1.20, page 16), the Initial Setup dialog (Fig. 1.2) may appear. This dialog is in three pages, two of which are shown in Fig. 1.2. The settings shown in Fig. 1.2 are for most of the 2D drawings in Part 1 of this book.

Fig. 1.1 The AutoCAD 2010 shortcut icon on the Windows desktop

Fig. 1.2 Settings in Page 1 and Page 3 of the Initial Setup dialog

Fig. 1.20 The 2D coordinate points in the AutoCAD coordinate system

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 2010 is opened a window appears, which depending upon whether a 3D Modeling, Classic AutoCAD or a 2D Drafting & Annotation workspace has been set as the QNEW in the Options dialog. In this example the 2D Drafting & Annotation workspace is shown and includes the Ribbon with Tool panels (Fig. 1.3). This 2D Drafting & Annotation workspace shows the following details:

Fig. 1.3 The AutoCAD 2010 2D Drafting & Annotation workspace

• Ribbon: which includes tabs, each of which when clicked will bring a set of panels containing tool icons. Further tool panels can be seen by clicking the appropriate tab. The panels in the ribbon can be changed to previous AutoCAD releases using the Customer User Interface dialog if desired (see page 25).
• Menu Browser icon: A left-click on the arrow to the right of the Asymbol at the top left-hand corner of the AutoCAD 2010 window causes the Menu Browser menu to appear (Fig. 1.4).
  

  Fig. 1.4 The Menu Browser
• Workspaces Switching menu: appears with a click on the Workspace Switching button in the status bar (Fig. 1.5).
  

  Fig. 1.5 The Workspace Switching pop-up menu
• Command palette: can be dragged from its position at the bottom of the AutoCAD window into the AutoCAD drawing area, when it can be seen to be a palette (Fig. 1.6). As with all palettes, an AutoHide icon and a right-click menu is included:
  

  Fig. 1.6 The command palette when dragged from its position as the bottom of the AutoCAD window
• Tool panels: each shows tools 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 det...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• Part 1: – 2D Design
• Part 2: – 3D Design
• Part 3: – Internet tools and design
• Part 4: – Appendices
• Index