AutoCAD Beginner Video Series: Part 1

Introduction

• Audience: Complete beginners with no prior knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Structure: Three-part series covering basics to advanced features.
• Topics: User interface, setting units, working with commands, drawing tools, object snaps, layers, blocks, dimensions, and printing.

AutoCAD Interface Overview

• Variants: AutoCAD Complete (Autodesk AutoCAD 2020) & AutoCAD LT
  • AutoCAD LT: Limited features, no 3D tools or sheet sets.
  • User Interface: Similar across both variants and operating systems (Windows vs. Mac differences are minimal).

Main Interface Components

• Application Button: Top left, frequently used tools.
• Quick Access Toolbar: Similar set of tools for quick access.
• Tabs & Ribbon Area: Contains tabs like Home, Insert, Annotate, etc. with panels holding various tools and commands.
• Drawing Area: Main area for creating drawings.
• Command Line (Command Bar/Palette): Below the drawing area, crucial for command input.
• Status Bar Toggles: Aid in precision and toggling features.

Starting a New Drawing

Basic Drawing with Line Tool

• Cursor Types:
  • Point Selection Cursor: Used to select specific points.
  • Dynamic Input Tooltip: Show/hide with F12.
• Steps:
  • Click to specify points and draw lines sequentially.
  • Press Enter to finish the line command.

Navigation Tools

• Mouse Wheel:
  • Drag (Pan): Press and hold wheel, move drawing.
  • Zoom: Rotate wheel to zoom in/out based on cursor position.
• Selection Methods:
  • Click: Select individual objects.
  • Selection Window: Drag mouse to the right, selects items entirely inside the window.
  • Crossing Window: Drag mouse to the left, selects items touching the boundary.
  • Lasso Selection: Press and hold left-click, move mouse to select objects with a freeform lasso.

Setting Units

• Command: Type UN and press Enter.
• Unit Types: Millimeters, Inches, or Unitless; and formats like Decimal or Architectural (feet & inches).
• Example: Select inches and decimal format to start drawing.

Drawing with Dynamic Input & Polar Tracking

• Line Tool: Type L and press Enter to start.
• Dynamic Input (F12): Shows input fields for distance and angle next to the cursor.
• Polar Tracking: Helps align and draw lines at specific angles (e.g., 30, 60, 90 degrees).
• Ortho Mode: Restricts drawing to 90-degree angles.

Using Dynamic Input

• Activate with F12: Shows input fields for specifying length and angle.
• Example: Type length, press Tab, then type angle.

Using Polar Tracking

• Activate: Click the arrow next to the polar tracking toggle and set desired angle increments.
• Functionality: Draw lines at precise angle intervals (e.g., 30, 60 degrees).

Conclusion

• Upcoming Content: Next video will cover other drawing and modifying tools to create a simple drawing.
• Practice: Explore the discussed tools and features to get comfortable with the basics.