Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

CHAPTER 1: Introduction to AutoCAD 2020

OBJECTIVES:

Understand the user interface of the Software.

Clearly understand the function of the mouse.
To clearly understand the Toolbars, Function Keys and status bar.

System Requirements:

AutoCAD 2020

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit only), 8.1 (64-bit only),

or 7 SP1 (64-bit only)
Processor: 2.5 GHz (3+ GHz recommended)
Memory: 8 GB (16GB recommended)
Disk space: 6.0 GB.
Display: 1920 x 1080 resolution with True Color.

AutoCAD Desktop Shortcut

You may do any of the following:

1. Double Click the icon

2. Click and press ENTER
3. Right Click >> Open

AUTOCAD1 1|Pag e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
Fig. 1.1 (AutoCAD 2020 shortcut on the Windows desktop)

OPENNING AUTOCAD 2020

AutoCAD 2020 is designed to work in a Windows Operating System.

In general, to open AutoCAD 2020 double-click on the AutoCAD shortcut in the

Windows desktop (Fig. 1.1).

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 2020 is opened, the Start page appears, giving access to recent
drawings, system information and the Start Drawing button (Fig. 1.2).

After starting a new drawing a new window is shown, depending upon whether a 3D
Basics, a 3D Modeling, or a Drafting & Annotation workspace has been set as QNEW (in the
Options dialog). In this example, the Drafting & Annotation workspace is shown and includes
the Ribbon with Tool panels (Fig. 1.3). The Drafting & Annotation workspace shows the
following details:

Ribbon: which includes tabs, each of which when clicked will include a set of
panels containing tool icons. Other tool panels can be seen by clicking an
appropriate tab.

AUTOCAD1 2|Pag e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Welcome Screen / Start Page

Fig. 1.2 ( Welcome Screen / Start Page )

AUTOCAD1 3|Pag e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Fig. 1.3 ( Drafting and Annotation Workspace )

Fig. 1.4 ( Menu Browser )

Menu Browser icon:

AUTOCAD1 4|Pag e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
A left-click on the arrow to the right of the A symbol ( AutoCAD Icon ) at the top left-
hand corner of the AutoCAD 2020 window causes the Menu Browser menu to appear (Fig.
1.4).
Workspaces Switching menu: appears with a click in the lower right corner. Workshop
Switching button in the status bar (Fig. 1.5).

Fig. 1.5 ( Workspace Switching Menu)

Command Line: Can be changed as shown in Fig 1.6.

Fig. 1.6 (The command palette when dragged from its position at the bottom of the
AutoCAD window)

Tool panels:
Each includes tool icons 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 details of how the tool can be used. Two types of tooltip
can be used in AutoCAD 2020

AUTOCAD1 5|Pag e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

.
Fig. 1.7 (The extended tooltip appearing with a click on the Line tool icon)

Video Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpY3q3ewt6o ( For Beginers in AutoCAD)

In the majority of future illustrations of tooltips, the smaller version will be shown.
Other tool icons have popup menus appearing with a click. In the example given in Fig. 1.8,
place the cursor over the Circle tool icon and a tooltip appears. A click on the arrow to the
right of the tool icon brings down a popup menu showing the construction method options
available for the tool.

Fig. 1.8 (The tooltip for the Circle tool and its popup menu)
Quick Access toolbar:

AUTOCAD1 6|Pag e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
The toolbar at the top left of the AutoCAD 2020 window holds several icons, one of
which is the Open tool icon. A click on the icon opens the Select File dialog (Fig. 1.9).
Navigation bar: contains several tools that may be of value.

Fig. 1.9 (The Open icon in the Quick Access toolbar brings the Select File dialog to screen)

The Mouse as a DIGITIZER

A digitizer is a machine that

converts an analog object,
image or signal into a digital
(i.e. computer readable)
format.

Fig. 1.10 (The three-button mouse with scrolling wheel)

AUTOCAD1 7|Pag e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
Many operators working in AutoCAD will use a two-button mouse as a digitizer. There
are other digitizers that may be used – pucks with tablets, a three-button mouse, etc. Fig.
1.10 shows a mouse that has three buttons, the middle mouse button being a wheel.

To operate this mouse, pressing the Pick button is a left-click, pressing the Return
button is a right-click, which usually, but not always, has the same result as pressing the Enter
key of the keyboard.

When the wheel is pressed, drawings in the AutoCAD screen can be panned (moves
the drawing) by moving the mouse. Moving the wheel forwards enlarges (zooms in) the
drawing on screen. Move the wheel backwards and a drawing reduces in size.

The pick box at the intersection of the cursor hairs moves with the cursor hairs in
response to movements of the mouse. The length of the cursor hairs can be adjusted in the
Display sub-menu of the Options dialog.

Setting the Shortcut Menu Variable

The main function of the right mouse button is to open the shortcut menu. This can
be changed by entering SHORTCUTMENU in the command panel, followed by 16 and Enter.
Now a short click on the right mouse button works as the Enter key, while a long click opens
the shortcut menu on the screen.

In this module a right-click means a short click to finish an input by Enter.

Guide to set Shortcut Menu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGt93ZOssh4

Palettes

A palette has already been shown – the Command palette. Two palettes that may be
frequently used are the Design Center palette and the Properties palette. These can be called
to screen from icons in the View/Palettes panel.

AUTOCAD1 8|Pag e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Design Center palette: Fig. 1.11 shows the Design Center palette with the Block drawings of
electrical symbols.

Properties palette: Fig. 1.12 shows the Properties palette, in which the general features of a
selected line are shown. The line can be changed by entering new figures in parts of the
palette.

Fig. 1.11 (A left-click on the View/DesignCenter icon brings the DesignCenter palette to
Screen)

AUTOCAD1 9|Pag e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Fig. 1.12 ( The Properties palette )

AUTOCAD1 10 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Tool Palettes
Click on Tool Palettes in the View/Palettes panel and the Tool Palettes –All Palettes palette
appears (Fig. 1.13).

Click in the title bar of the palette and a popup menu appears. Click on a name in the menu
and the selected palette appears. The palettes can be reduced in size by dragging at corners
or edges, or hidden by clicking on the Auto-hide icon, or moved by dragging on the Move
icon. The palette can also be docked against either side of the AutoCAD window.

The Design Feed palette gives

access to Autodesk 360. You can close it
for now. To open it again type
DESIGNFEEDOPEN in the
command panel.

Fig. 1.13 (Calling Tool Palettes – The Design Feed palette)

AUTOCAD1 11 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
Dialogs are an important feature of AutoCAD 2020. Settings can be made in many of
the dialogs, files can be saved and opened, and changes can be made to variables.

Examples of dialogs are shown in Fig. 1.15 and 1.16. The first example is taken from
the Select File dialog (Fig. 1.15), opened with a click on Save As … in the Quick Access toolbar
(Fig. 1.14). The second example shows part of the Options dialog (Fig. 1.16) in which many
settings can be made to allow operators the choice of their methods when constructing
drawings.

The Options dialog can be opened with a click on Options … in the right click menu
opened in the command palette.

Fig. 1.14 (Opening the Select File dialog from the Open icon in the Quick Access toolbar)

The following parts in the dialog shown in Fig. 1.15, many of which are common to other
AutoCAD 2020 dialogs:

Title bar : showing the name of the dialog.

Close dialog button : common to other dialogs.
Popup list : a left-click on the arrow to the right of the field brings down a popup
list listing selections available in the dialog.
Buttons : a click on the Open button brings the selected drawing on screen. A
click on the Cancel button closes the dialog.
Preview area : available in some dialogs – shows a miniature of the selected
drawing or other feature, shown in Fig. 1.15.

The following in the Options dialog (Fig 1.16):

Tabs : a click on any of the tabs in the dialog brings a sub-dialog on screen.
Check boxes : a tick appearing in a check box indicates the function described
against the box is on. No tick and the function is off. Clicking in a
check box toggles between the feature being off or on.

Slider : a slider pointer can be dragged to change sizes of the feature

controlled by the slider.

AUTOCAD1 12 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Fig. 1.15 (The Select File dialog)

AUTOCAD1 13 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Fig. 1.16 (Part of the Options dialog)

AUTOCAD1 14 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Buttons in the Status Bar

A number of buttons at the right-hand end of the status bar can be used for toggling
(turning on/off) various functions when operating within AutoCAD 2020 (Fig. 1.17). A click on
a button turns that function on, if it is off; a click on a button when it is off turns the function
back on. Similar results can be obtained by using function keys of the computer keyboard
(keys F1 to F10).

Fig. 1.17 (The buttons at the right-hand end of the status bar)

Grid : also toggled using the F7 key. When set on, a grid pattern appears in the
drawing area.
Snap Mode : also toggled using the F9 key. When set on, the cursor under mouse control
can only be moved in jumps from one snap point to another.
Ortho Mode : also toggled using the F8 key. When set on, features can only be drawn
vertically or horizontally.
Polar Tracking : also toggled using the F10 key. When set on, a small tip appears showing
the direction and length of lines etc. in degrees and units. Polar Tracking
switches off Ortho Mode and vice versa.
Object Snap Tracking: also toggled by the F11 key. When set on, lines etc. can be drawn at
exact coordinate points and precise angles.
2D Object Snap: also toggled using the F3 key. When set on, an snap icon appears at the
cursor pick box.

When constructing drawings in AutoCAD 2020, it is advisable to toggle between Snap,

Ortho, 2D Object Snap and the other functions in order to make constructing easier. The
MODEL button can be confusing in the beginning, it is recommended to switch it off.
Coordinates will be needed and should be activated (Fig. 1.19).

The uses of the other buttons will become apparent when reading future pages of this book.
A click on the Customize button at the right-hand end of this set of buttons brings up the
Customize menu from which the buttons in the status bar can be set on and/ or off. The
MODEL button activates a layout to prepare the drawing for printing. Use the Model tab on
the left-hand side to get back to model space (Fig. 1.18).

Fig. 1.18 ( Model and Layout tabs on the left hand and the MODEL button in the status bar.)

AUTOCAD1 15 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Coordinate System

In the AutoCAD 2D coordinate system, units are measured horizontally in terms of X

and vertically in terms of Y. A 2D point in the AutoCAD drawing area can be determined in
terms of X and Y (in this book referred to as x,y). x,y = 0,0 is the origin of the system. The
coordinate point x,y = 100,50 is 100 units to the right of the origin and 50 units above the
origin. The point x,y = –100,–50 is 100 units to the left of the origin and 50 units below the
origin. Fig. 1.20 shows some 2D coordinate points in the AutoCAD window.

3D coordinates include a third coordinate (Z), in which positive Z units are towards the
operator as if coming out of the monitor screen and negative Z units going away from the
operator as if towards the interior of the monitor screen. 3D coordinates are stated in terms
of x,y,z. x,y,z = 100,50,50 is 100 units to the right of the origin, 50 units above the origin and
50 units towards the operator.

Fig. 1.19 (Application Status Bar menu)

AUTOCAD1 16 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

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

A 3D model drawing as if resting on the surface of a monitor is shown in Fig. 1.21.

Fig. 1.21 (A 3D model drawing showing the X, Y and Z coordinate directions)

Layout Viewports

A layout viewport is an object that is created in paper space to display a scaled view
of model space. You can think of it as a closed-circuit TV monitor that displays part of model
space. In the illustration, model space is active and accessible from within the current layout
viewport.

AUTOCAD1 17 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

The Mouse as a DIGITIZER

Drawing templates are files with an extension .dwt. Templates are files that have been
saved with predetermined settings – such as Grid spacing, Snap spacing, etc. Templates can
be opened from the Select Template dialog (Fig. 1.22), called by clicking the New … icon in
the Quick Access toolbar. An example of a template file being opened is shown in Fig. 1.22.
In this example, the template will be opened in Paper Space and is complete with a title block
and borders.

AUTOCAD1 18 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
Fig. 1.22 (A template selected from the Select Template dialog)

When AutoCAD 2020 is used in European countries and opened, the acadiso.dwt
template is the one most likely to appear on screen. In this part (Part A – 2D Design) of the
book, drawings will usually be constructed in an adaptation of the acadiso.dwt template. To
adapt this template:

1. At the keyboard, enter (type) grid followed by a right-click (or= pressing the Enter key).
Then enter 10 in response to the prompt that appears, followed by a right-click (Fig. 1.23).

Fig. 1.23 (Setting Grids to 10)

2. At the keyboard, enter snap followed by right-click. Then enter 5 followed by a right-
click (Fig. 1.24).

Fig. 1.24 (Setting Snap to 5)

3. At the keyboard, enter limits, followed by a right-click. Right-click again. Then enter
420,297 and right-click (Fig. 1.25).

Fig. 1.25 (Setting Limits to 420,297)

4. At the keyboard, enter zoom and right-click. Then, in response to the line of prompts
that appears, enter a (for All), and right-click (Fig. 1.26).

Fig. 1.26 (Zooming to All)

AUTOCAD1 19 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

5. In the command palette, enter units and right-click. The Drawing Units dialog appears
(Fig. 1.27). In the Precision popup list of the Length area of the dialog, click on 0 and
then click the OK button.
Note the change in the coordinate units showing in the status bar.

Fig. 1.27 (Setting Units to 0)

6. Click the Save As icon in the Quick Access toolbar (Fig. 1.28). The Save Drawing As
dialog appears. In the Files of type popup list, select AutoCAD Drawing Template
(*.dwt). The templates already in AutoCAD are displayed in the dialog. Click on
acadiso.dwt, followed by another click on the Save button.

AUTOCAD1 20 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
Fig. 1.28 (Click Save As)

1. If, in the Files area of the Options dialog, the Default template file name for QNEW
is set to acadiso.dwt, when AutoCAD is opened, the template saved as acadiso.dwt
automatically loads with Grid set to 10, Snap set to 5, Limits set to 420,297 (size of
an A3 sheet in millimetres) and with the drawing area zoomed to these limits, with
Units set to 0.

2. However, if there are multiple users of the computer, it is advisable to save your
template to another file name – e.g. my_template.dwt.

3. Other features will be added to the template in future chapters.

Methods of Showing Entries in the Command Palette

Throughout this module, when a tool is “called” by a click on a tool icon in a panel or,
as in this example, entering zoom at the command line, the following will appear in the
command palette:

ZOOM Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or [All Center Dynamic
Extents Previous Scale Window Object] <real time>: pick a point on screen

Specify opposite corner: pick another point to form a window

1. In the above, enter means type the given letter, word or words at the
keyboard.
2. Right-click means press the Return (right) button of the mouse or press the
Return key of the keyboard.

The Ribbon

In the 2D Drafting & Annotation workspace, the Home Ribbon contains groups of
panels placed at the top of the AutoCAD 2020 window. In Fig. 1.3, there are (see page 5) ten
panels showing – Draw, Modify, Layers, Annotation, Block, Properties, Groups, Utilities,
Clipboard and View. Other groups of palettes can be called from the tabs at the top of the
Ribbon.

If a small arrow is showing below the panel name, a left-click on the arrow brings
down a flyout showing additional tool icons in the panel. As an example, Fig. 1.29 shows the
flyout from the Home/Draw panel.

AUTOCAD1 21 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Fig. 1.29 ( Home/Draw panel and its flyout)

At the right-hand end of the panel titles (the tabs) are two downward pointing arrows.
A left-click on the right of these two arrows brings down a menu. A right-click on the same
arrow brings down a different menu (Fig. 1.30). Options from these two menus show that the
ribbon can appears in the AutoCAD window in a variety of ways. It is worthwhile
experimenting with the settings of the ribbon – each operator will find the best for
himself/herself. The left-hand arrow also varies the ribbon.

Repeated left-clicks on this arrow cause the Ribbon panels to:

1. Minimize to tabs.
2. Minimize to panel titles.
3. Minimize to panel button.
4. Back to full ribbon.

Continuing clicks cause the changes to revert to the previous change.

Fig. 1.30 ( Right-click menu from the right-hand arrow)

AUTOCAD1 22 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Fig. 1.31 shows the Minimize settings. Some of these settings leave more space in the
AutoCAD drawing window in which to construct drawings. The various settings of the ribbon
allow the user discretion as to how to use the ribbon. When minimized to panel titles or to
panel buttons, passing the cursor over the titles or buttons causes the panels to reappear and
allows selection of tools. Also try Undock from the right-click menu.

Fig. 1.31 (The Ribbon minimize settings)

File Tabs

Below the Ribbon are File tabs for the Start page and all open drawings. Hovering over
a file tab brings miniatures of other open drawings on screen (Fig. 1.32). This can be of value
when wishing to check back features of recent drawings in relation to the current drawing on
screen.

The right-click menu on a file tab contains various file commands.

Fig. 1.32 Hovering over the File tab (to the left) and the right-click menu on the File tab

AUTOCAD1 23 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
(to the right)

Customization of the Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar at the top of the AutoCAD window can easily be customized
using the drop-down menu on the right side. Additional commands can be drag-dropped from
a dialog box under More Commands.

Nearly everything in the AutoCAD user interface can be customized using the CUI
(Customize User Interface) command. Page space in this book does not allow further
explanation.

Fig. 1.33 (The Customize User Interface dialog)

Throughout this Module, when tools are selected from panels in the ribbon, the panels
will be shown in the form e.g. Home/Draw, the name of the tab in the ribbon title bar,
followed by the name of the panel from which the tool is to be selected.

Video Tutorial for AUTOCAD 2020

Basic tutorial for Beginers

https://youtu.be/cmR9cfWJRUU
https://youtu.be/ONapRVyXn2E

Reference:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2020/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-5B6347C1-B458-
4336-AB2A-C16AF161B755-htm.html
https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/introduction-to-autocad/9780135576649/

AUTOCAD1 24 | P a g e
 Module: Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

CHAPTER 1 ACTIVITY

CREATE THIS OBJECT USING LINE AND POLYLINE TOOL.

(Line Created Shape)

(Polyline Created Shape)

AUTOCAD1 25 | P a g e