Step 1 Using what you learned in the first workalong, start a new drawing using template 2D English.
Step 2 Save and name the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 02–4 in the Lab Exercises folder.
Step 3 Check to ensure that the Model tab is enabled in model and layout tabs. If it is not, enable it by clicking it with the left mouse button. (Figure Step 3)
Step 4 Disable all features on the status bar, except Model, by clicking any that are enabled.
Your status bar should match the figure.
(Figure Step 4)
Step 5 Ensure that ByLayer is enabled in the first 3 box in the Properties toolbar. (Figure Step 5)
Author's Comments: You will not be drawing anything in this module. You are learning how to enter commands and understand AutoCAD's prompts and defaults. You will be aborting all commands after you enter them. Be patient, you will start drawing in Module 4.
Step 6 Look in the Command Line window. Note that when there is no active command,
AutoCAD displays the Command: prompt. The Command: prompt is AutoCAD way of asking you to enter a command. (Figure Step 6)
Author's Comments: If the Command: prompt does display as shown in Figure Step 6, press the Esc key until it does.
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Figure Step 5
Figure Step 6
AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 14
Getting Started The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2011 Module 2
Step 7 Enter the LINE command by selecting Draw on the pull-down menu. In the pull-down, select Line. (Figure Step 7)
Step 8 Note in the Command Line window AutoCAD is now prompting Specify first point.
(Figure Step 8)
Step 9 Press Esc to abort (cancel) the command. (Figure Step 9)
Step 10 At the Command: prompt, enter the CIRCLE command by typing it on the keyboard.
(Figure Step 10)
Figure Step 7
Figure Step 8
Figure Step 9
Figure Step 10
AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 15
Step 11 Press Enter to execute the command. Note how AutoCAD prompts Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: (Figure Step 11)
Author's Comments: The AutoCAD prompt means the following:
Specify center point for circle - The default.
[3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)] - This is the option prompt. If you do not want to use the default, you can enter 3P, 2P or T to select one of the options.
Step 12 Enter a T and take note of the new prompt
Specify point on object for first tangent of circle:. (Figure Step 12)
Step 13 Press Esc to abort the command. (Figure Step 13) Figure Step 11
Figure Step 12
Figure Step 13
Command options are selections that you can choose from to change the
command default. Command options are enclosed inside square brackets "[ ]".
Select first object [Polyline/Radius/Trim] - Enter either a P, R or T to change the default.
AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 16
Getting Started The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2011 Module 2
Step 14 Enter the ARC command by typing it in on the keyboard. Press the Space bar to execute command. Press Esc to abort the command. (Figure Step 14)
Author's Comments: Note that a command can be executed by either pressing the Enter key or the Space bar.
Step 15 Press Enter without entering a command. Note how AutoCAD will repeat the last command. (Figure Step 15)
Step 16 Press Esc to abort the command to return to the Command prompt. (Figure Step 16)
Step 17 Enter the QSAVE command by either typing it on the keyboard. (Figure Step 17)
Author's Comments: Note how some commands do not prompt you for anything.
Figure Step 14
Figure Step 15
Figure Step 16
Figure Step 17
AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 17
Step 18 Enter the CLOSE command to close the drawing. (Figure Step 18)
Author's Comments: To sum up:
1 Either the Enter key or the Space bar can be used to execute commands. If there is no active command, AutoCAD will repeat the last command if the user presses the Enter key, the Space bar or right clicks the mouse.
2 The Esc key will aborts (cancel) any command or process and return you to the Command:
prompt.
3 Most AutoCAD command prompts contain a default and an option prompt.
4 Option prompts are enclosed inside square brackets "[ ]".
Figure Step 18
The Esc key is a very important when drawing in AutoCAD. When pressed, it will abort or cancel any command or process and return you to the Command prompt.
You will be using this key frequently while working in AutoCAD.
The Key Principles in Module 2
1 An AutoCAD drawing is a database file containing graphical and non-graphical data and must have the extension .dwg.
2 A drawing template is a drawing file that may contain layouts, defaults, blocks and standards set by the creator of the template and used to start a new drawing.
3 The AutoCAD file extensions taught in the AutoCAD 2D Modules are .dwg, .dwt, and .bak.
.dwg - is a drawing file. .dwt is a template file. .bak - is a back or backup file.
4 Regardless of the way commands are entered, AutoCAD doesn't really know or care where the command was initiated.
5 In an AutoCAD command prompt, the options are enclosed inside square brackets "[ ]".
6 The Enter key or the Space bar are used to execute a command. If there is no active command and the either the Enter key or Space bar are pressed, the last command will repeat. The same thing can be achieved by right clicking the mouse.
7 The Esc key will cancel or abort any AutoCAD command or process.
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Getting Started The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2011 Module 2
Lab Exercise 2-1 Time Allowed: 30 Min.
Figure Step 2 Instructions:
Step 1 Start AutoCAD.
Step 2 IMPORTANT STEP. - Unless otherwise instructed, each time you start a workalong or a lab exercise in the AutoCAD 2D Modules, the Model tab should be enabled. (Figure Step 2)
Step 3 IMPORTANT STEP - Unless otherwise instructed, each time you start a workalong or a lab exercise in the AutoCAD 2D Modules, all features on the status bar should be disabled as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 3)
Step 4 If any icons in the status bar are enabled as shown in Figure Step 4, click them until they are disabled as shown in Figure Step 3. (Figure Step 4)
Step 5 IMPORTANT STEP - Unless otherwise instructed, each time you start a workalong or a lab exercise in the AutoCAD 2D Modules, the first three box of the Properties toolbar should be set ByLayer . (Figure Step 5)
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Figure Step 5
AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2011-05-13 2 - 19
Step 6 Complete the following:
A Using the NEW command, start a new drawing using the template:
2D English
B Save and name the drawing with the name:
AutoCAD 2D Lab 02-1
C Save the drawing in the folder:
C:\CAD Courses/AutoCAD 2D/Lab Exercises D Using the CLOSE command, close the drawing.
Step 7 Complete the following:
A Using the NEW command, start a new drawing using the template:
2D Metric
B Save and name the drawing with the name:
AutoCAD 2D Lab 02-2
C Save the drawing in the folder:
C:\CAD Courses/AutoCAD 2D/Lab Exercises D Using the CLOSE command, close the drawing.
Step 8 Complete the following:
A Using the OPEN command, open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 02-2
B Using the SAVEAS command, save and name the drawing:
AutoCAD 2D Lab 02-3
C Save the drawing in the folder:
C:\CAD Courses/AutoCAD 2D/Lab Exercises D Using the CLOSE command, close the drawing.
Step 9 Minimize AutoCAD and open Windows Explorer. Locate the folder
C:\CAD Courses/AutoCAD 2D/Lab Exercises. It should contain 7 drawing files as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 9)
Author's Comments: You may see some .bak files in your list with the same name as the
drawing files. Note that drawing files have the AutoCAD icon preceding the drawing name. Figure Step 9 only shows the drawing files. Your list may show some .bak files, ignore them.
Figure Step 9