Step 1 -Lesson 1.2

-In this lesson you are going to learn the basic commands to create objects:

The 'Create Object' basic Commands

• Draw a Line
• Draw an Arc
• Draw a Circle
• polyline
• rectangle

1.2.1 - Draw a line

A line is the most basic object and can be consisted by one segment or a series of connected segments.
You can assign properties to lines, as color, linetype and line weight. A (2D) point is specified by inserting it's coordinates (x,y), and this is precise method, or by clicking a point with your mouse on the screen.

To draw Lines:

1. On Ribbon ► Click Home tab ► Draw panel ► Click the Line tool icon .

There are two methods to draw lines:
1. Command Line prompt says: Specify first point: Using the mouse, left-click anywhere on the screen to specify the first point.
2. Command line prompt says: Specify next point or [undo]: Using the mouse, left-click on another point on the screen to specify the second point of the line.
3. Command line prompt says: Specify next point or [undo]: Move the mouse on another point on the screen and left-click again.
You can repeat this as many times as you wish. When you are done, click Enter or Esc.

At the end, you will have drawn some lines on your screen, as shown in Fig.1.2.1.1.

• You can use the Undo command at any time to undo the last specified point, hence the last specified segment of the line.
• After you draw two segments, if you choose the close option you will able to connect the last point with the first point of your segments and to end the command.
• If you are using the Line command and you right-click, you will get the drop-drawn menu as shown in Fig.1.2.1.2 and you can use any of its tools.

- Draw lines using the Dynamic Inputs,
  which provides a command interface near the cursor (fig. 1.2.1.5, Fig.1.2.1.6).

Before you begin to draw, verify on the Status Bar that, the Dynamic Input button is ON (it's color has to be cyan).

Dynamic Input has three components: pointer input, dimensional input, and dynamic input.
If you right-click the dynamic input button - on the status bar - and choose the Settings, you can control what is displayed by each component when the dynamic input is ON.

On the window Drafting Settings►Dynamic Input (tab) which will open, select 'Enable Pointer Input', 'Enable Dimension Input when possible' and 'Show Command Promping'. 

When the Line command is active and the dynamic input is on, you will see near the cursor the command prompt: specify first point and two boxes for entry of values (fig 1.2.1.5).

You can specify the first point of your line by picking a point with your mouse, or you can type the coordinates of your first point by typing in the first box the x-coordinate (fig. 1.2.1.5), that could be 5, press TAB and insert the y-coordinate in the second box, that could be 10 and press ENTER.

You can also type both coordinates with a comma between these, for example could be 5, 10 (but don't forget the comma).

To draw the next point of the line with the dynamic input command prompt, pick a point with your mouse or for more accuracy type in the box the distance between the two points (fig. 1.2.1.6), press TAB and insert in the second box the angle of the line, and then press ENTER if you want to end the command.

Draw an Arc

To draw an Arc, you can specify varius combinations of points, center, endpoint, start point, radius, angle, chord length and direction values.
The arcs are drawn counterclockwise from the start point to the endpoint.

You can access the Arc command through the follow :

1. Keyboard : Type in arc and press ENTER
2. Cascading menus : Draw ►Arc ►and select 3-points (you have to be in "AutoCAD Classic" workspace).
3. Toolbar icon : Draw toolbar (icon) (you have to be in "AutoCAD Classic" workspace).
4. Ribbon  : Home tab ►Draw ►Arc► and select 3-point (Fig. 1.2.7)

To draw an Arc you will use now the Ribbon, to insert the Arc command.

On Ribbon ► Click Home tab ► Draw panel ► Click the Arc tool icon .

You will see the drop-down menu  with the various methods to draw an Arc (Fig. 1.2.7), with combinations of points, center, radius, diameter, angle, chord length, and direction values.

- Draw an Arc by specifying Three Points.

From the drop-down menu of Arc select the 3-Point. (Fig. 1.2.7).

1. Commandline prompt says: Arc Specify start point of arc or [ ENTER] : Using the mouse , select on your screen a point similar to point P1 (Fig.1.2), or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: 15 to insert the coordinates of the first point P1, and define the first point of the arc.
2. Commandline prompt says: Arc Specify second point of arc or [Center End] : Pick with your mouse the second point similar to P2 or for more accuracy on the Command prompt type : 25 to insert coordinates of the second point P2, and define the second point of the arc.
3. Commandline prompt says: Specify end point of arc : Pick with your mouse a point similar to  point P3 or for more accuracy on the Command prompt type : 18,5 to insert coordinates of the third point P3, and define the third point P3 of the arc.

If you are using the Arc command and right-click on the screen, you will get a drop-drawn menu with some tools to draw the arc.

- Draw an Arc by specifying a start point, a center point, and an endpoint.

1. Click Home tab ►Draw panel ► from the Arc drop-down menu (Fig.1.2.7) ► Select Start, Center, End.
2. Commandline prompt says:_arc Specify start point of arc or [ Center] : Using the mouse , select a point on your screen similar to point P1, or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: 10,20 to insert the coordinates of the start point P1, and define the start point of the arc.
3. Commandline prompt says:Specify second point of arc or [Center/End] : _c Specify center point of arc: Using the mouse, select a point on your screen similar to point P2 or for more accuracy on the Command prompt type : 20,25 to insert coordinates of the center P2, and define the center of the arc.
4. Commandline prompt says:Specify end point of arc or [Angle/chord Length] : Using the mouse, select a point on your screen similar to point P3 or for more accuracy on the Command prompt type : 30,40 to insert coordinates of the end point P3, and define the end point of the arc.

You created an Arc with Start point P1, Center P2 and End point P3 (Fig.1.2.8).

- Draw an Arc by specifying start point, center point, and angle.

You will create a circle with a specified radius =400, tangent to the lines A1 and A2 (Fig. 1.2.9)

1. On Ribbon, click Home tab ►Draw panel ► from the Arc drop-down menu (Fig.1.2.7) ► Select Start, Center, Angle.
2. Commandline prompt says:_arc Specify start point of arc or [ Center] : Using the mouse , click near the point P1 on the screen , or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: 15,25 to insert the coordinates of the start point P1, and define the start point of the arc.
3. Commandline prompt says:Specify second point of arc or [Center/End] : _c Specify center point of arc: Pick with your mouse a point like P2 or for more accuracy on the Command prompt type : 40,45 to insert coordinates of the center P2, and define the center of the arc.
4. Commandline prompt says:Specify end point of arc or [Angle/chord Length] : _a Specify included angle: moving your mouse specify an angel or for more accuracy on the Command prompt type : 135 to insert angle of the arc, and define it (Fig.1.2.9).

Circles

To draw a Circle, you can specify varius combinations of center, radius, diameter, points on the circumference and tans.
The default method is to specify the center and the radius.

There are and other ways to draw a circle depending on the available data.

You can access the Circle command through the following:

1. Keyboard : Type in circle and press Enter
2. Cascading menus : Draw ►Circle ►Center, Radius
3. Toolbar icon : Draw toolbar (icon)
4. Ribbon : Home tab ►Draw panel ►Circle

To draw Circles in this tutorial, you will use now the Ribbon, to insert the Circle command.

On Ribbon ► Click Home tab ► Draw panel ► Click the Circle tool icon .

You will see the drop-down menu with the various methods to draw a circle (Fig. 1.2.10), with combinations of center, radius, diameter, points tanses.

- Draw a Circle by specifying a center and radius.

From the drop-down menu of Circle select the Center-Radius.

1. Commandline prompt says:Specify center point of circle or [ 3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)] : Using the mouse , click near the point P1 on the screen , or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: 5, 5 to insert the coordinates of the first point P1, and define the first point of the arc..
2. Commandline prompt says:Specify radius of circle or [Diameter] : Pick with your mouse the second point near to P2 or or for more accuracy on the Command prompt: type 18 to insert the length of the circle.

If you are already using the Circle command and you right-click, you will get the drop-down menu as shown in Fig.1.2.10 and then you can use any of its tools to draw the circle.

- Draw a Circle by specifying a center and diameter.

From the drop-down menu of Circle (Fig.1.2.10), select the Center-Diameter tool.

1. Commandline prompt says:Specify center point of circle or [ 3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)] : Using the mouse , click near the point P1 on the screen , or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: 5,5 to insert the coordinates Χ, Υ) of the first point P1, and define the first point of the arc..
2. Commandline prompt says:Specify radius of circle or [Diameter] : type d and press Enter,
3. Commandline prompt says: Specify diameter of circle < > : Pick with your mouse a point to specify the length of diameter or or for more accuracy on the Command prompt: type 36 to insert the length of the diameter of the circle.

- Draw a Circle tangent to two objects.

You will create a circle with a specified radius =4, tangent to the lines A1 and A2 (Fig. 1.2.12)

From the drop-down menu of Circle select the Tan, Tan, Radius.

1. Commandline prompt says: Specify point on object for first tangent of circle : Using the mouse , select the line A1to define the first tangent object .
2. Commandline prompt says:Specify point on object for second tangent of circle : Using the mouse , select the line A2 to define the second tangent object .
3. Commandline prompt says:Specify radiusof circle < > : type 4 to insert the length of the radius of the circle.

 

Draw a Polyline

A Polyline consist of two or more connected segments, created as a simple object.
These segments can be straight lines, arcs or a combination of the two.

Width can be assigned to a polyline, unlike regular line segments. After you create polylines, you can edit it using grips or PEDIT. You can use the EXPLODE command to convert a polyline to it's individual line and arc segments.

Before to start drawing the polylines in tis tutorial, turn ON the dynamic input button , at  the Application Status bar.

 

Draw a polyline with straight line segments

To draw a polyline, as shown in Fig. 1.2.14:

• Click Home tab ►Draw panel ►click Polyline (Fig 1.2.13)
• Specify on the screen the first point of the polyline.
  • To do this pick a point on the screen near to point P1, as shown in fig.1.2.14, or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: 5,5 to insert the coordinates (X, Υ) of the first point P1, and define the first point of the polyline.
• Specify the point P2, that is the endpoint of the first straight line segment P1P2 ,
  • to do this on the Command prompt: Specify next point: pick a point on the screen near to point P2, or for more accuracy, on the Command prompt: Specify first point: type @5<30, where 5 m is the distance P1P2 and 30⁰ is the horizontal angle of the line P1P2.
• Specify the endpoint of the second straight line (P2P3),
  • to do this on the Command prompt: Specify next point: pick a point on the screen near to point P3, or for more accuracy on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type @7.50<60 , where 7.50 m is the distance P2P3 and 60⁰ is the horizontal angle of the line P2P3 , to define the third point P3 of the polyline.
• Specify the endpoint of the third straight line (P3P4),
  • to do this pick a point on the screen near to point P4, or for more accuracy on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type @10<0 , where 10 m is the distance P3P4 and 0⁰ is the horizontal angle of the line P3P4 , to define the fourth point P4 of the polyline.
• Specify the endpoint of the fourth straight line (P4P5),
  • to do this pick a point on the screen near to point P5, as shown in fig.0.0 , or for more accuracy on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type @7<45 , where 7 m is the distance P4P5 and 45⁰ is the horizontal angle of the line P4P5 , to define the fifth point P5 of the polyline (see fig.1.2.14).
• Continue specifying segment endpoints as needed
• Press Enter to end or press c to close the polyline

► If you want to start a new polyline at the endpoint of the last polyline drawn, start the PLINE command and at the Command prompt Specify Start Point: press ENTER.

 

Draw a polyline with straight line and arc segments

Draw a polyline, as the one you see in Fig. 1.2.16:

• Click Home tab ►Draw panel ►click Polyline (Fig 1.2.13)
• Specify on the screen the point P1, that is the first point of the polyline,
  • To do this pick a point on the screen near to point P1,as shown in fig.1.2.16, or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: type 10,10 (are the coordinates of the first point P1), and define the first point of the polyline.
• Specify the point P2, that is the next point of the first straight line P1P2 ,
  • to do this pick a point on the screen near to point P2, or for more accuracy, on the Command prompt: Specify first point: type @5<90 , where 5 m is the distance P1P2 and 90⁰ is the horizontal angle of the line P1P2.
• To draw the Arc P2P3, switch to Arc mode ,
• to do this on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type a (which means Arc), and pick a point on the screen near to point P3, or for more accuracy, on the Command prompt: Specify first point: type: @4<45 where 4 m is the length of the chord P2P3 and 45⁰ is the horizontal angle of the direction of the chord P2P3, to define the third point P3 of the polyline.
• To draw the point P4 of the line P3P4, switch to Line mode ,
  • to do this on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type L (which means Line), and pick a point on the screen near to point P4, or for more accuracy, on the Command prompt: Specify first point: type @2<90, where 2 m is the length P3P4 and 90⁰ is the horizontal angle of the line P3P4, to define the fourth point P4 of the polyline.
• To draw the Arc P4P5, switch again to Arc mode.
  • to do this at the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type a (which means Arc) and pick a point on the screen near to point P5, or for more accuracy, on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type @6<0, where 6 m is the length of the chord P4P5 and 0⁰ is the horizontal direction of the P4P5, to define the point P5 of the polyline.

• To draw the line P5P6, switch to Line mode ,
  • to do this on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type L (which means Line), and pick a point on the screen near to point P6, or for more accuracy, on the Command prompt: Specify first point: type @7.50<0 , where 7.50 mm is the length P5P6 and 0⁰ is the horizontal angle of the line P5P6 , to define the point P6 of the polyline.
• To draw the Arc P6P7, switch again to Arc mode.
  • to do this at the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type a (which means Arc) and pick a point on the screen near to point P7, or for more accuracy, on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type @4<45, where 4 m is the length of the chord P6P7 and 45⁰ is the horizontal direction of the P6P7, to define the point P7 of the polyline.
• To draw the point P8 of the line P7P8, switch to Line mode ,
  • to do this on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type L (which means Line), and pick a point on the screen near to point P8, or for more accuracy, on the Command prompt: Specify first point: type @3<0, where 3 mm is the length P7P8 and 0⁰ is the horizontal angle of the line P7P8, to define the point P8 of the polyline.
• Specify the endpoint P9 of the polyline,
  • to do this pick a point on the screen near to point P9, as shown in fig.1.2.16 , or for more accuracy on the Command prompt: Specify next point or: type @4<90 , where 4 m is the length P8P9 and 90⁰ is the horizontal angle of the line P8P9 , to define the point P9 of the polyline (see fig.1.2.17).
• Press Enter to end or enter c to close the polyline

► If you want to start a new polyline at the endpoint of the last polyline drawn, start the PLINE command and on the Comand prompt Specify Start Point: press ENTER.

Draw a Rectangle

You will draw a rectangle with dimensions 1.4 by 0.7 (in meters), as shown in Fig. 1.2.19.

There are three methods to draw a rectangle:

Specifying the two diagonal corners of the rectangle (P1 and P3):

• On Ribbon, click Home tab ► Draw panel ► click Rectangles (Fig.1.2.18).
• Specify on the screen the first point of the rectangle.
• To do this, pick a point on the screen near to point P1, as shown in fig.1.2.20, or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: 2, 2 to insert the coordinates of the first point P1, and define the first point of the rectangle.
• Specify the opposite corner of the rectangle ,
• to do this pick a point on the screen near to point P3, or for more accuracy, on the Command prompt: Specify opposite corner or: type 3.4,2.7, where 3.4 and 2.7 are the coordinates of the point P3 (3.4=2+1.4, 2.7=2+0.7).

Using the width and the height of the rectangle:

You will draw a rectangle with dimensions 1.4 x 0.7 (meters), as shown in Fig.1.2.19. To do this:
• Specify on the screen the first point of the rectangle.
• To do this pick a point on the screen near to point P1, as shown in fig.1.2.20, or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: 2,2 to insert the coordinates of the first point P1, and define the first point of the rectangle.
• At the Command prompt: Specify the opposite corner of the rectangle , type the letter D (which means Dimensions)
• on the Command prompt: Specify length for rectangles: type 1.40, where 1.40, is the Length of the rectangle, and press ENTER.
• on the Command prompt: Specify width for rectangles: type 0.70, where 0.70, is the Width of the rectangle, and press ENTER.
The rectangle was designed as you see in Fig.1.2.20, without the dimensions and text.

Using the Area and the Length or the Width of the rectangle:

• Specify on the screen the first point P1 of the rectangle as shown in Fig.1.2.21.
• To do this pick a point on the screen near to point P1, or for more accuracy type on the Command prompt: 2,2 to insert the coordinates of the first point P1 (X= 2, Y= 2), and define the first point of the rectangle.
• At the prompt: Specify the opposite corner of the rectangle , type the letter a (which means Area)
• on the Command prompt: Enter area of rectangle in current units<>: type 20.40, where 20.40, is the Area of the rectangle, and press ENTER.
• on the Command prompt: Calculate rectangle dimensions [Length/Width] < >: Choose the width of the rectangle, and press ENTER.
• on the Command prompt: Enter rectangle length < >: type 4, where 4 is the Length of the rectangle, and press ENTER. The result is as shown in Fig.1.2.21.