Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 13

Common Access : Line,

Command Line : Line, L

Ribbon : Home tab > Draw panel > Line

Menu Bar : Draw > Line

Circle Command : Use the Circle command to create circles in the drawing. When you
start the Circle command, you are prompted to select a center point, then specify the
radius. Use the data input methods discussed earlier to input these values. In the following
image, the circle center point is selected and you are prompted to specify a radius.

FIG :
Command Access : Circle

Command Line : CIRCLE, C

Menu Bar : Draw > Circle > Choose option

Ribbon : Home tab > Draw panel > Circle

14 CAD Lab Manual

Arc Method :
The Arc command creates an arc based on three points. Using the default method for
creating an arc, you specify a start point, a second point, and an end point. The arc
radius and center point are calculated based on the position of the three consecutive
points you specify. The following illustration represents an arc being created through
three points.

FIG :
Command Access : Arc

Command Line : Arc, A

Menu Bar : Draw > Arc > 3 points

Ribbon : Home tab > Draw panel > Arc

Undo and Redo Commands :
Use the Undo command to step back through every action you made, including pan
and zoom. Use the Redo command to step forward through those actions again. These
commands are conveniently located on the Quick Access toolbar. You can Undo at any
point in the drawing session, even within some of the draw and modify commands.
However you can only Redo immediately after an Undo Command.
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 15

FIG :
You may also type the Undo command at the Command line. Enter U and press ENTER.
If you continue to press ENTER, the Undo command will be repeated. If you enter the
entire word UNDO at the Command line and press ENTER, you will see a list of Undo
options at the Command line prompt. If you are working in the AutoCAD Classic
workspace the Undo and Redo buttons include down arrows that reveal lists which you
can choose to undo or redo up to a selected item or step.
Command Access : Undo

Command Line : Undo, U

Menu Bar : Edit > Undo

Quick Access Toolbar : Undo

Command Access : Redo

Command Line : REDo

Menu Bar : Edit > Undo

Quick Access Toolbar : Redo

16 CAD Lab Manual

Rectangle Command :
Use the Rectangle command to create rectangular objects. A single polyline object is
created with this command. The simplest method for creating a rectangle is to specify
the first corner, then the opposite corner. Other options for creating the rectangle include
the Area, Dimension and Rotation options. This illustration shows a rectangle with the
point used to create it specified.

FIG :
Command Access : Rectangle

Command Line : Rectangle, REC

Menu Bar : Draw > Rectangle

Ribbon : Home tab > Draw panel > Rectangle

Polygon Command :
Use the Polygon command to create regular polygon geometry by specifying the center
point and radius of an imaginary circle, or the start point and endpoint of one of the
polygon edges. Regardless of the method you choose to define the polygon, all of its
sides are equal in length.
The default method for creating polygons is to specify a center point and radius. When
you choose this method, you must choose either the Inscribed or Circumscribed option.
Depending on the option you choose, the size of the polygon is calculated as shown in
the following image.
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 17

Edge
Inscribed Circumscribed

FIG :
Command Access : Polygon

Command Line : Polygon, POL

Menu Bar : Draw > Polygon

Ribbon : Home tab > extended Draw panel > Polygon

Object Snap Settings :

The quickest way to turn Running Object Snap
on or off is from the Status bar button (1). If
you right click on this button, you can select
Settings (2) to change the object snap options
in the Drafting Settings dialog box (shown
below). You can also select the snap modes from
the shortcut menu. A selected object snap mode
will be highlighted (3).
Notice that information in the Object Snap tab of
the Drafting Settings dialog box is similar to the
shortcut menu shown above.
FIG :
18 CAD Lab Manual

FIG :
Object Snap Override :
Object Snap override means that the snap stays in effect until you specify the next
point. You are in snap override mode if you click an object snap from the shortcut
menu or the object snap toolbar before selecting the specified point.
Object Snap Toolbar :

FIG :
Command Line : While being prompted to select a point, enter the first
3 letters of the object snap and press ENTER (i.e.,
MID, INT, NEA)
Menu Browser : Tools > Toolbars > ACAD > Object Snap
Toolbar : Object Snap (Access from the Menu Browser)
Shortcut Menu : SHIFT + right-click in the drawing window
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 19

FIG :
Object Snap Modes :
Note that an object snap override will cancel :
• If you miss your mark.
• If you select an object snap twice before selecting your point.
In the following examples :
• Point 1 identifies the initial point used to select the object.
• Point 2 identifies the point snapped to, or the second pick point if it is required.
• Point 3 identifies the point snapped to if two pick points were required.
Endpoint : Snaps to the closest endpoint
of an arc, elliptical arc, line, multiline, 2
1
polyline segment, spline, region, or ray,
or to the closest corner of a trace, solid,
or 3 D face.
20 CAD Lab Manual

Command Access : Endpoint

Mid Point : Snaps to the midpoint of an arc, elliptical arc, line, multiline, polyline segment,
region, solid, spline, or xline.

Midpoint

Command Access : Midpoint

Center : Snaps to the center points of circles, arcs, or ellipses.

1
2

Command Access : Center

Modify Entities :
Erase Command :
Use the Erase command to remove geometry from the drawing. You can select objects
by picking them directly, or using selection options such as a window or crossing window.
Command Access : Erase

Command Line : ERASE, E

Menu Bar : Modify > Erase
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 21

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Erase

Copying Objects :
In conventional drafting, one of the most time-consuming tasks is to duplicate an object.
You use the Copy command to quickly create duplicates of objects at a specified distance
from the original. After starting the Copy command and selecting the object(s) to copy,
you then specify the base point (where the object is being copied from) followed by the
second point or displacement (where the object is being copied to). To create multiple
copies, simply continue specifying second points or displacement values.

Duplicate objects copied Multiple objects copied

Command Access : Copy

Ribbon : Draw tab > Modify panel > Copy

Command Line : COPY, CO
Menu Bar : Modify > Copy

Shortcut Menu : Select objects then right-click any where in

the drawing window and select Copy.
22 CAD Lab Manual

Mirroring Objects :
Using the Mirror command, you can create symmetric versions of geometry. When you
activate the Mirror command, you are prompted to select the objects to mirror and to
define a mirror line. The mirror line defines a vector across which all selected geometry
is mirrored. After defining the mirror line, you can decide whether to erase or retain the
source geometry. You can also control the Mirror command using grips.
Mirror works for all object types.

Mirror
line

FIG :
Command Access : Mirror

Command Line : MIRROR, MI

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Mirror

Menu bar : Modify > Mirror

Offsetting Objects :
The Offset command creates a new object whose shape parallels the shape of a selected
object. For example, in the following image, the inside shape has been offset twice
using the Offset command with the Multiple option.
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 23

FIG :
Command Access : Offset

Command Line : OFFSET, O

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Offset

Application Bar : Modify > Offset

Creating an Array of Objects :
Using the Array command, you can duplicate existing objects in a rectangle or circular
(polar) pattern. You can select which type of array to use in the Array dialog box. Click
the Rectangular or Polar options to see point, distance, and method requirements for
each type. The following illustration shows a rectangular and polar array.

FIG :
24 CAD Lab Manual

Command Access : Array

Command Line : ARRAY, AR

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Array
Note : Do not confuse this command with the 3D Array command.

Menu bar : Modify > Array

Moving Objects :
The Move command enables you to reposition an object in the drawing by selecting a
base point, where the object is moving from, followed by a point to define where the
object is moving to. You can select the two points or use the Displacement option of
the command. If you use the Displacement option, the coordinate values you enter
specify a relative distance and direction from the base point you selected. Another
option is to use grips to reposition an object. You select a grip and then activate the
Move command and select a position to move the selected grip and the object to.

Circle before move Circle after move

FIG :
Command Access : Move

Command Line : MOVE, M

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Move
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 25

Menu Bar : Modify > Move

Shortcut Menu : Select objects then right-click any where in
the drawing window and click Move
Rotating Objects :
You use the Rotate command to rotate objects in the drawing. Command options enable
you to rotate the objects simply by entering an angle for the rotation or by defining a
reference angle and then entering a new angle for the reference angle. If you need to
make a copy of the object while rotating, you can specify the Copy option. When the
Copy option is selected, a copy of the object is rotated, leaving the original object in its
current position. You can also use grips to rotate the object.
In the following image, two chair objects are being rotated with the Copy option.

FIG :
Command Access : Rotate

Command Line : ROTATE, RO

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Rotate
26 CAD Lab Manual

Menu Bar : Modify > Rotate

Shortcut Menu : Select objects then right-click anywhere in
the drawing window. Click Rotate
Trim Command :
You can use the Trim command to shorten and the Extend command to lengthen
existing geometry to meet the edges of other objects. This means that you can create
an object such as a line and later adjust it to fit precisely between other objects.
When you use the Trim command, you select objects to use as cutting edges and trim
geometry back to those objects. You select the portion of the object to trim, not the
portion to keep. In the following image, the arrows indicate where you would click to
trim the lines.

FIG :
Command Access : Trim

Command Line : TRIM, TR

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Rotate

Menu Bar : Modify > Trim

Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 27
Extend Command :
When you use the Extend command, you select objects to use as boundary edges and
extend geometry to those objects. In the following illustration, the boundary edge (2) is
indicated with an arrow. Selecting the lines (1) at the location of the arrows extends
each line to the first boundary edge it encounters. The completed command is illustrated
in the image on the right.

1
2

Before extend After extend

FIG :
Command Access : Extend

Command Line : EXTEND, EX

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Extend

Menu Bar : Modify > Extend

Joining Objects :
Use the Join command to combine individual segments of like objects into a single
object, to reduce file size, and to improve drawing quality. The Join command can be
used on polylines, lines, arcs, elliptical arcs, and splines.
28 CAD Lab Manual

Command Access : Join

Command Line : JOIN, J

Ribbon : Home tab > extended Modify panel > Join

Menu Bar : Modify > Join

Breaking Objects :
Using the Break command, you can break a single object into two independent objects.
You accomplish this by first selecting the object to break and then specifying the
break points.
The Modify panel contains two versions of the Break command. While each version
executes the core Break command, one breaks the object leaving a gap between the
two remaining pieces and the other breaks the object at one point, leaving the ends
coincident (touching). In this lesson, you learn both Break methods. In the following
image, the Break command was used to break the line indicated by the middle arrow,
at the points indicated by the arrows pointing to the intersections.

9.4152

FIG :
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 29
Command Access : Break

Command Line : BREAK, BR

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Break

Menu Bar : Modify > Break

Command Access : Break at Point

Command Line : BREAK, BR

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Break at Point

Menu Bar : Modify > Break

Creating Fillets :
You can use the Fillet command to connect two objects quickly with a smoothly fitted
arc of a specified radius. You usually use it to represent a rounded edge on a corner; an
inside corner is called a fillet and an outside corner is called a round. You can fillet
lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, polylines, xlines, splines, and rays. You can also create a
sharp corner with the Fillet command by specifying a radius value of 0.
30 CAD Lab Manual

Original Objects Fillet Radius Nonzero Fillet Radius Zero

FIG :
Command Access : Fillet

Command Line : FILLET, F

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Fillet

Menu Bar : Modify > Fillet

Creating Chamfers :
You use the Chamfer command to quickly create a line between two nonparallel lines.
It is usually used to represent a beveled edge on a corner. You can chamfer lines, polylines,
xlines, and rays.
Command Access : Chamfer

Command Line : CHAMFER, CHA

Ribbon : Home tab > Modify panel > Chamfer
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 31

Note : Select the Chamfer command from the drop-down menu

Menu Bar : Modify > Chamfer

Text Command :
TEXT command is against the entry of text in a table or on the desktop beside the
drawings. On the toolbar, click on the DRAW button to enter the MultiLine TEXT or via
a text menu or via the Draw toolbar TEXT.

FIG :
Command Access : Text

Command Line : TEXT, T

Ribbon : Home tab > Multiple text> Text
Dimensions - toolbar in AUTOCAD :
DIMENSIONS Toolbar is a toolbar for quotation line. The same commands can be
used over the Text menu DIMENSIONS. Locate the tape can be anywhere on the
working window in the system of Drag and Drop. It is the dropdown menu and dimension
styles as well as the button to modify the Dimensions Style. Here I will describe some
commonly used commands and others to explore themselves.

FIG :
32 CAD Lab Manual

Linear Dimensions :
1. Choose Dimension, Linear. (or)
2. Click the Linear Dimension command from the toolbar. (or)
3. Type DIM at the command prompt.

50,000

30,000

FIG :
Command : DIM

Dim : HOR or VER

Aligned Dimensions :
1. Choose Dimension, Aligned. (or)
2. Click the Aligned Dimension command from the toolbar. (or)
3. Type DIM at the command prompt.

5.20

FIG :
Command : DIM

Dim : ALIGNED
Radial Dimensions :
1. Choose Dimension, Radius or Diameter.
2. Click the Radial Dimensions command from the toolbar.
3. Type DIM at the command prompt.
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 33

φ 4.00

R0.50

FIG :
Command : DIM

Dim : RADIUS or DIAMETER

Style Dimensions in AUTOCAD :
The command for creating and modifying the dimensions of styles is on the toolbar,
STYLES and the bar DIMENSIONS triggered by clicking on the button DIMENSIONS
STYLE. We also need to plan DIMENSIONS STYLE the relevant drawings for quotation
before you even begin to draw. It will adjust the line color, thickness, size, dimensions
endings, the height of the letters, etc.
Modify the dimensions of style start over Toolbar => STYLES.

FIG :
Or toolbar (toolbar) = Dimension > Style

or Text Format menu => Dimension Style

or by clicking a button on the toolbar STYLES
After clicking the button opens us to dialogue Styles Manager window, where we have
a few buttons.
34 CAD Lab Manual

FIG :
Layer Tools :
When you create and manage layers, you use the Layer Properties Manager and the
Layer Control list on the ribbon. Together, these commands and tools provide you with
the functionality required to effectively create, manage, and assign objects to layers.

Layer Panel
Command Access : Use the Layer Properties Manager to create
layers and control the color, linetype,
lineweight, and other properties of each layer.
: Layer Properties Manager

Command Line : LAYER, LA

Ribbon : Home tab > Layers panel > Layer Properties
Selecting Commands, Function Keys and Toolbars 35

Menu Bar : Format > Layer

To quickly make an object's layer current, use the following command.
Command Access : Make Objects Layer Current

Command Line : LAYMCUR

Ribbon : Home tab > Layers panel > Make Objects
Layer Current

Menu Bar : Format > Layer Tools > Make Object’s

Layer Current
To return to the previous layer settings, use the following command.
Command Access : Layer Previous

Command Line : LAYERP

Ribbon : Home tab > Layers panel > Previous

Menu Bar : Format > Layer Tools > Layer Previous

36 CAD Lab Manual

Layer Properties Manager Dialog Box :

Your primary tool for managing layers is the Layer Properties Manager. Use this dialog
box to create and manage layers.

FIG :