1.

Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) means using the computer, instead of the classical tools (pencil,
ink, rulers, paper) to create drawings. There are several advantages to this, for example the drawing
can be subdivided in smaller parts, that can be reused or be worked on by several architects,
updating the drawing is much faster than with hand-made drawings (where you often needed to
redraw the whole drawing), and several tools can help you to check your drawing for errors. Besides
this, computer generally allows you to work in real-world units, and does the scaling automatically,
so your drawing fits on the printer sheet.

2. It’s safe to say that computer-aided design, or CAD, revolutionized modern day engineering. CAD allows for the
easier development of products and product management integration. It also allows for greater modeling and even
provides a basis for virtual networking!
In the engineering world, CAD is extremely important and widely used to design and develop products to be used by
consumers. This knowledge is a hot commodity for those employing engineers, because of its benefits in the
engineering workplace.
CAD Drawing Benefits
CAD drawings offer the flexibility to draft and design in a digital sphere, which were previously done by hand. The
digital format makes data handling easier, safer, and quicker. Prior hand drawn blueprints can be scanned and then
can be expanded upon digitally. Many CAD programs are now using three-dimensional drawings to maximize
productivity and provide quicker, better product results, allowing for the development of the tiniest details.

Workspaces toolbar (Fig. 1.5) usually within the workspace.

Styles toolbar docked to the right of the Standard toolbar.

Layers toolbar docked under the Standard toolbar.

Properties toolbar docked to the right of the Layers toolbar.

Command palette can be dragged from its position at the bottom of the

AutoCAD window into the AutoCAD drawing area, when it can be

seen as a palette (Fig. 1.6). As with all palettes, an AutoHide icon and

a right-click menu are included.

Draw toolbar (Fig. 1.7) docked against the left-hand side of the workspace.

Modify toolbar (Fig. 1.7) docked against the right-hand side of the

workspace.

Menu bar and menus: The menu bar is situated under the title bar

and contains names of menus from which commands can be selected.

Fig. 1.8 shows the View drop-down menu which appears with a left-
click on the name. Left-click 3D Views in the drop-down menu and a

sub-menu appears, from which other sub-menus can be selected if

required.

Palettes

A palette has already been shown – the Command palette. Two palettes

which may be frequently used are the DesignCenter palette and the

Properties palette. These can be called to screen from the Tools

drop-down menu (Fig. 1.10).

DesignCenter palette: Fig. 1.11 shows the palette showing the Block

drawings of metric fasteners from an AutoCAD directory DesignCenter

from which the drawing file Fasteners - Metric.dwg has been selected.

A fastener block drawing can be dragged from the DesignCenter for

inclusion in a drawing under construction.

Properties palette: Fig. 1.12 shows the Properties palette in which the

general and geometrical features of a selected polyline are shown.

The polyline can be changed by the entering of new figures in the

appropriate parts of the palette.

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, only part of which is shown in

Fig. 1.15.

Note the following in the Options dialog:

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 indicates the function is off.

A click in a check box toggles between the feature being off or on.

Radio buttons: a black dot in a radio button indicates the feature

described is on. No dot and the feature is off.

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

controlled by the slider.

SNAP: 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. See also page 15.

GRID: also toggled using the F7 key. When set on, a series of grid points

appears in the drawing area. See also page 15.

ORTHO: also toggled using the F8 key. When set on, lines etc. can only

be drawn vertically or horizontally.

POLAR: 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.

OSNAP: also toggled using the F3 key. When set on, an osnap icon

appears at the cursor pick box. See also page 41.

OTRACK: when set on, lines etc. can be drawn at exact coordinate

points and precise angles.

DUCS: Dynamic UCS. Also toggled by the F6 key. Used when constructing

3D solid models.

DYN: Dynamic Input. When set on, the x,y coordinates and prompts

show when the cursor hairs are moved.

LWT: when set on, lineweights show on screen. When set off, lineweights

only show in plotted/printed drawings.

When in Paper Space a button can toggle Model Space and Paper

Space and a new button appears for toggling between Maximizing and

Minimizing the workspace.

Note the square light-blue button at the right-hand end of the status

bar – the Clean Screen button. Left-click this button and a screen clear

of all but the menu bar and the command palette appears. When in the

Clean Screen workspace another click on the button and the screen

reverts to its original state.

Units dialog appears (Fig. 1.26). 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.