SHAPE CONSTRUCTION: AutoCAD

Fundamental Graphic Elements Basic Graphic Shapes

1. Point 1. Rectangle
2. Line 2. Circle
3. Curve (arc, spline) 3. Ellipse

Element Key Points Shape Key Points

Line: 2 end pts, 1 mid pt Rectangle: 4 end pts, 4 mid pts
Arc: 2 end pts, 1 center pt Circle: 4 corner (quadrant) pts, 1 center pt
Spline: 2 end pts, several intermediate pts Ellipse: 4 corner (quadrant) pts, 1 center pt

Geometric Key Points

1. Intersection pt
2. Tangent pt
3. Perpendicular pt
4. Concentric pt

Create Entities
1. Line

Length

Angle (symbol: <)
o Select line icon
o Select start point
o Enter angle symbol
o Enter angle value
o Enter length value

2. Arc

Center

Radius
o Select arc icon
o Select start point
o Enter angle value
o Select end point

3. Circle

Center

Radius or diameter
o Select circle icon
o Select center point
o Enter radius value
or
o Enter D for diameter
o Enter diameter value

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 4. Ellipse

Center

1st radius or diameter

2nd radius
o Select ellipse icon
o Select start point
o Select 1st diameter point
o Move in 2nd dia. Direction
o Enter 2nd radius value

5. Rectangle

Length

Height
1. Select rectangle icon
2. Select 1st corner point
3. Enter coordinates 2nd corner point (Relative)l
Or
o Use line icon

6. Polygon

Number of sides

Radius of circle
1. Select polygon icon
2. Enter # of sides
3. Select center of circle
4. Select inscribe or circumscribe
5. Enter radius of circle
7. Fillet

Select fillet tool or icon

Type r > Enter

Type fillet radius value > Enter

Select 1st element

Select 2nd element

8. Chamfer

Length

Angle
Or

1st Length

2nd Length

Modify Entities

1. Selection

Select tool

Select Entity or

Select group entities (Click-drag-click for window)

2. Offset

Select Offset icon

Enter Offset Distance

Select entity to offset

Click on the side for away from entity

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3. Trim

Select trim icon

Press Enter key

Select portion of entity to discard

4. Extend

Select Extend icon

Press Enter key

Select point near end of entity in direction of extension

5. Move

Select Move icon

Select entity or group

Select base point

Move cursor

Select new position

6. Rotate

Select Rotate tool

Select entity or group

Select center of rotation or base point

Type in angle value

7. Mirror

Select Mirror icon

Select entity or group

Define mirror line
Select two points

CCW rotation is default for entities

8. Scale

Select Scale tool

Select entity or group

Select base point

Type scale factor

9. Stretch

Select Stretch tool

Select entity or group

Select base point

Drag to new position and click