AutoCAD Basics: Drawing Management and Annotation Tools

Dimensioning

• Importance: Critical for any drawing.
• Tools: Accessed from the annotation panel.
  • Linear Dimension:
    • Select first point, second point, and drop point for dimension.
    • Initial dimensions may be too large; modify using the annotation panel.
    • Change overall scale in the fit tab (e.g., from 1 to 0.25 or 0.2).
  • Other Dimensions:
    • Radius: Select 'radius', click circle.
    • Diameter: Select 'diameter', click circle.
    • Angular: Select lines to measure angle between.

Layers

• Current Layer: Default is layer 0.
• Adding Layers: Use layer properties to add new layers (e.g., 'dim' for dimensions).
• Advantages:
  • Change properties like color (e.g., change dimension color to red).
  • Hide/show dimensions using light bulb icon.

Blocks

• Definition: Symbols in a drawing that can be reused.
• Creating a Block:
  • Use create block in block panel, give a name (e.g., 'window').
  • Specify base point and select objects to include in the block.
• Advantages:
  • Insert multiple copies.
  • Modify one block reference to update all instances via block editor.

Plotting

• Process:
  • Go to plot option, select plotter (e.g., dwg to pdf).
  • Choose paper size (e.g., ISO A4) and plot area.
  • Use window to select specific plot area.
  • Center plot and adjust orientation (portrait to landscape).
  • Save and output in desired format (e.g., PDF).

Conclusion

• Basics of AutoCAD drawing management and annotation covered.
• For more in-depth tutorials, additional resources available on SourceCAD channel.