AutoCAD Drawing Commands Overview

Introduction to Draw Commands

• In AutoCAD, draw commands are instructions for creating and constructing objects.
• Common actions include drawing lines, circles, or polygons.

Accessing Commands

• Commands are found in the toolbar, organized into panels and tabs.
• Activation methods:
  • Typing corresponding shortcut or command alias.
  • Selecting command icon in the toolbar.
• Advantages of shortcut commands:
  • Easier communication with the application.
  • Consistency across different AutoCAD versions.

Line Command

• Used to draw a simple line from one point to another.
• Each line segment is a separate object.

Activation

• Type L and press Enter.
• Click the Line icon in the draw panel bar.

Drawing a Line

1. Activate the Line command.
2. Specify the first point by clicking anywhere on the drawing area.
3. Specify the next point by clicking again.
4. Press Enter or Esc to end the command.

Creating a Line with Precise Distance

1. Activate the Line command.
2. Specify the starting point.
3. Enter the desired distance and press Enter.

Creating a Line at a Specific Angle

1. Click Home tab > Draw panel > Line.
2. Specify the start point.
3. Enter the left angle bracket (<) and input the angle (e.g., <45).
4. Indicate the direction or specify the length (e.g., 5).
5. Press space bar or Enter.

Drawing Lines using Specific Coordinates

1. Click Home tab > Draw panel > Line.
2. Type X and Y coordinate values (e.g., 2,5).
3. If dynamic input is on: type # followed by X and Y values (e.g., #5,7).
4. If dynamic input is off: type X and Y values directly (e.g., 5,7).
5. Press the Spacebar or Enter.

• Note: Dynamic input toggled with F12.

Relative Coordinates

• Use @ symbol to measure coordinates from the last specified point.
• Example: @2,1 measures 2 units in X and 1 unit in Y from the current location.

Command Sequence

1. Click Home tab > Draw panel > Line.
2. Specify the first point.
3. For second point, provide relative coordinates with dynamic input on or off.
4. Press the Spacebar or Enter.

Polar Coordinates

• Used to draw points at specific angles.
• Example: @3<135 (3 is distance, <135 is angle).
• Angles increase counterclockwise; use negatives for clockwise.

Polyline Command

• Similar to Line command but creates a single object with multiple segments.

Activation

• Type PL and press Enter.
• Click the Polyline icon in the ribbon.

Command Sequence

1. Activate the Polyline command.
2. Specify the start point.
3. Specify subsequent points.
4. Press Enter or type C to close the polyline.

Rectangle Command

• Draws a rectangle with vertical and horizontal sides (closed polyline).

Activation

• Type REC and press Enter.
• Click the Rectangle icon in the ribbon.

Command Sequence

1. Activate the Rectangle command.
2. Specify the first corner point.
3. Specify the opposite corner point.

Using Dimensions

1. Activate the Rectangle command.
2. Click a point in drawing area.
3. Type D for dimensions option.
4. Enter length and width.

Polygon Command

• Creates an equilateral closed polyline with 3 to 1024 sides.
• Can be inscribed or circumscribed around a circle.

Command Sequence

1. Type POL and press Enter.
2. Enter the number of sides.
3. Specify center or choose Edge option.
4. Choose Inscribed or Circumscribed.
5. Specify circle radius.

Circle Command

• Used to draw circles through various methods.

Methods

• Center, Radius (Default):
  1. Type C and press Enter.
  2. Click to mark center.
  3. Enter the radius.
• Center, Diameter:
  1. Choose option after clicking Circle icon.
  2. Enter diameter.
• 2-Point:
  1. Choose "2-Point" option.
  2. Click endpoints of diameter.
• 3-Point:
  1. Specify "3P" option.
  2. Pick three points on the circle.
• Tan, Tan, Radius:
  1. Specify "Ttr" option.
  2. Pick two tangent objects.
  3. Enter radius.
• Tan, Tan, Tan:
  1. Choose "Tan, Tan, Tan" option.
  2. Pick three tangent objects.

Arc Command

• Draws an arc of a circle using start, second, and end points.

Activation

• Type A and press Enter.
• Click the Arc icon in the ribbon.

Command Sequence

1. Activate the Arc command.
2. Specify the start, second, and end points.

Other Options

• Start, Center, End / Angle / Length
• Start, End, Angle / Direction / Radius
• Center, Start, End / Angle / Length
• Continue (tangent to last drawn line/arc/polyline)

Ellipse Command

• Creates an ellipse or elliptical arc.

Activation

• Type EL and press Enter.
• Click the Ellipse icon in the ribbon.

Command Sequence

1. Type EL and press Enter.
2. Specify the first and other endpoints of the axis.
3. Specify distance to other axis or select Rotation option.

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