AutoCAD Command: CLOSE - CAD 205 Sample

The CLOSE command is used to close the current drawing.

Shortcut: none

When you save an AutoCAD drawing for the first time it adds the extension .dwg to the drawing's name. When you save a drawing that was previously saved,

AutoCAD changes the extension of the existing drawing file to .bak and creates a new drawing file with the extension .dwg. If a drawing file ever gets lost or

corrupted, the extension name of the .bak file can be changed to .dwg and opened in AutoCAD.

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 4

Creating, Naming, Saving, Opening and Closing Drawings

Step 1 Start AutoCAD. Your graphic screen should be similar to the figure.

(Figure Step 1)

2009-2012

2007-2008 Figure Step 1

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 5

Step 2 Enter the NEW command. It will open the Select template dialogue box. Select the template 2D English and click Open (Figure Step 2)

Author's Comments: If you do NOT see the four templates files shown in Figure Step 2, you must go back and redo Steps 10 to Step 13 in the module AutoCAD 2D Introduction 2. Do not continue in this module until your dialogue box matches Figure Step 2. If you have trouble getting it to match, email your instructor for help.

Step 3 Note the drawing name Drawing1.dwg displays on the top bar of the graphic window. (Figure Step 3)

Author's Comments: This is the drawing name that was assigned by AutoCAD when you started the drawing with the NEW command. Don't be concerned if the number at the end of the drawing name is different.

Step 4 Enter the QSAVE command to open the Save Drawing As dialogue box. Find and select the folder CAD Courses.

Under it, select AutoCAD 2D and under that, Lab Exercise.

(Figure Step 4A, 4B and 4C)

Figure Step 2

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2007-2008 Figure Step 3

Figure Step 4A

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 6

Step 5 With Lab Exercises in the Save in box, enter the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong 02-1 in the File name: box. (Figure Step 5)

Author's Comments: I recommend that you save and name a new drawing immediately after you start it and then save it every 15 minutes after that. If there is a power failure or your computer freezes, the maximum amount of drawing time you can lose is 15 minutes. The first time you save your drawing you will be asked to assign a name. Once it is named, you can save it quickly with the QSAVE command.

Figure Step 4B

Figure Step 4C

Figure Step 5

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 7

Figure Step 7

Step 6 Note that the folder location and the drawing name C:\CAD Courses\AutoCAD 2D\Lab Exercises\AutoCAD 2D Workalong 02-1.dwg displays on the top bar of the graphic window.

(Figure Step 6)

Step 7 Check to ensure that the Model tab is enabled in the model and layout tabs. If not, enable it by

clicking it with the left mouse button. (Figure Step 7) Authors Comments: Until you are instructed otherwise, the Model tab should be enabled at all times while working on workalongs and lab exercises in the AutoCAD 2D Modules. Module 18 will teach you how to work in the layouts.

Step 8 Disable all features on the status bar, except Model, by clicking any that are enabled.

Your status bar should match the figure.

(Figure Step 8)

Step 9 Ensure that ByLayer is enabled in the first 3 box on the Properties toolbar.

(Figure Step 9)

Authors Comments: Important Unless otherwise instructed, each time you start a workalong or a lab exercise while working on the AutoCAD 2D Modules, all features on the status bar should be disabled, except Model. ByLayer should be enabled in the first three boxes on the Properties toolbar.

2009-2012

2007-2008 Figure Step 6

2009-2012

2007-2008 Figure Step 8

Figure Step 9

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 8

Step 10 Enter the CLOSE command to close the current drawing. If you are asked if you want to save the drawing, answer Yes.

Step 11 Using what you learned in the first part of the workalong, start a new drawing using the template 2D Metric. (Figure Step 11)

Step 12 Save and name the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 02-2 in the folder C:\CAD Courses\AutoCAD 2D\Lab Exercises. (Figure Step 12)

Step 13 Enter the CLOSE command to close the current drawing. If you are asked if you want to save the drawing, answer Yes.

Figure Step 11

Figure Step 12

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 9

Step 14 Enter the OPEN command to open the Select File dialogue box. In it, locate the folder C:\CAD Courses\AutoCAD 2D\Lab Exercises. (Figure Step 14)

Step 15 With Lab Exercise in the Look in box, select the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 02-1.

(Figure Step 15)

Figure Step 14

Figure Step 15

If the file dialogue box does not open for the NEW command, enter the FILEDIA command and set the value to 1 as shown below:

Command: FILEDIA

Enter new value for FILEDIA <0>: 1 Command:

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 10

Step 16 Enter the SAVEAS command. It will open the Save Drawing As dialogue box. In the File name: box, enter the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong 02-3. (Figure Step 16)

Step 17 Enter the CLOSE command to close the current drawing. If you are asked if you want to save the drawing, answer Yes.

Step 18 Minimize or exit AutoCAD and open Windows Explorer. Find the folder C:\CAD Courses\AutoCAD 2D\Lab Exercises. You should see three drawing files and three backup files as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 18)

Author's Comments: Do not be concerned If the drawing sizes are different in your list than the ones shown in the figure. Each version of AutoCAD could create a different file size.

Figure Step 16

Figure Step 18

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 11

Figure 2-3

Different Methods of Executing the LINE Command

Command: LINE Specify first point: 2,2

Specify next point or [Undo]: @2,0 Specify next point or [Undo]:

Command: FILLET

Current settings: Mode = TRIM, Radius = 0.2500 Select first object or [Polyline/Radius/Trim]: R Specify fillet radius <0.3500>: 0.25

Most work in AutoCAD consists of the user issuing instructions. Those instructions are called commands. Commands are usually entered using the command line window, a pull-down menu or a toolbar menu. Figure 2-3 shows the LINE command being entered using all three methods.

Regardless of the way that a command is entered by the user, AutoCAD does not know or care where the command was initiated. To AutoCAD, all commands look alike, therefore, the user can choose which method to use. There is no right or wrong method to enter a command. Throughout the AutoCAD 2D Modules, the different methods of entering commands is shown and the user can decided which method to use.

In document CAD 205 Sample (Page 55-63)