1.1.

Introduction
Learning to use a CAD system is similar to learning a new language. It is necessary
to begin with the basic alphabet and learn how to use it correctly and effectively through
practice. This will require learning some new concepts and skills as well as learning a
different vocabulary. Nonetheless, all CAD systems create designs using basic geometric
entities and many of the constructions used in technical designs are based upon twodimensional planar geometry. The method and number of operations that are required to
accomplish the basic planar constructions are different from one system to another.
In order to become effective and efficient in using a CAD system, we must learn to
create geometric entities quickly and accurately. In learning to use a CAD system, lines and
circles are the first two, and perhaps the most important two, geometric entities that one
should master the skills of creating and modifying. Straight lines and circles are used in
almost all technical designs. In examining the different types of planar geometric entities,
the importance of lines and circles becomes obvious. Triangles and polygons are planar
figures bounded by straight lines. Ellipses and splines can be constructed by connecting
arcs with different radii. As one gains some experience in creating lines and circles, similar
procedures can be applied to create other geometric entities.

User interface of Autocad

1.2. Basics of AUTOCAD:

1.2.1. Drawing Tools:
Layer Property Manager
Editing and Viewing Toolbar
a). LINE:

Drafting Toolbar

Workspace Settings
Toolbar: Draw
Command entry: LINE

Creates straight line segments.

Drawing tools

Modifying Toolbar
Cursor

1.

Click Draw

Modifying Toolbar

Line.At the Command

Coordinate system
Point Coordinates
Command Line

Drafting Settings

prompt, enter
2.

Specify the start point.

You can use the pointing device or enter coordinate values at the command prompt.

3.

Complete the first line segment by specifying the endpoint.

4.

Specify the endpoints of any additional line segments.

5.

Press ENTER to end or c to close a series of line segments.

To draw lines

Click Draw

Line >Specify the start

point >Complete the first line segment by specifying the endpoint > Specify the
endpoints of any additional line segments > Press ENTER to end or c to close a
series of line segments >To start a new line at the endpoint of the last line drawn,
start the LINE command again and press ENTER at the Specify Start Point prompt.
b). CIRCLE
Toolbar: Draw
Command entry: CIRCLE
To create a circle tangent to two objects
1.

Click Draw

Circle

Tan, Tan,

Radius.
The command starts Tangent object snap mode.
2. Select the first object to draw the circle tangent to.
3. Select the second object to draw the circle tangent to.
4. Specify the radius of the circle.
2.
1.

To draw a circle by specifying a center point and radius or diameter

Do one of the following:

Click Draw

Circle

Radius.

Click Draw Circle Center, Diameter.

2. Specify the center point.
3. Specify the radius or diameter.
c). ARC
Toolbar: Draw
Command entry: ARC
To draw an arc by specifying three points
1.

2.
3.
4.

Click Draw

Arc

Specify the start point.

Specify a point on the arc.
Specify the endpoint.

To draw an arc using a start point, a center point, and an endpoint

3 Points.

Center,

1.

Click Draw

Arc

Click Draw

Line.

End.
2. Specify a start point.
3. Specify the center point.
4. Specify the endpoint.
To continue an arc with a tangential line
1. Complete the arc.
2.

3. Press ENTER at the first prompt.

4. Enter the length of the line and press ENTER.
To continue an arc with a tangential arc
1. Complete the arc.

Start, Center,

2.

3.

Click Draw

Arc

Continue.

Specify the second endpoint of the tangent arc.

d). POLYLINE
Toolbar: Draw
Command entry: PLINE

A 2D polyline is a connected sequence of segments created as a single planar object. You

can create straight line segments, arc segments, or a combination of the two.
To draw a polyline with straight segments

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Click Draw Polyline.

At the
command prompt, enter pline.
Specify the first point of the polyline.
Specify the endpoint of the first polyline segment.
Continue specifying segment endpoints as needed.
Press ENTER to end, or enter c to close the polyline.
To start a new polyline at the endpoint of the last polyline drawn, start the PLINE
command again and press ENTER at the Specify Start Point prompt.

To draw a line and arc combination polyline

1.

Click Draw

Polyline.

At the

command prompt, enter pline.

2.
Specify the start point of the polyline segment.
3.
Specify the endpoint of the polyline segment.

Switch to Arc mode by entering a (Arc) at the command prompt.

Return to Line mode by entering L (Line).

4.
Specify additional polyline segments as needed.
5.
Press ENTER to end, or enter c to close the polyline.
To create a wide polyline
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Click Draw

Polyline.

Specify the start point of the line segment.

Enter w (Width).
Enter the starting width of the line segment.
Specify the ending width of the line segment using one of the following methods:

To create a line segment of equal width, press ENTER.

To create a tapering line segment, enter a different width.

6. Specify the endpoint of the polyline segment.

7.
8.

Continue specifying segment endpoints as needed.

Press ENTER to end, or enter c to close the polyline.

d). MULTILINE
To draw a multiline
1.

Click Draw menu

Multiline.

2.
3.
4.
5.

At the command prompt, enter st to select a style.

To list available styles, enter the style name or enter ?.
To justify the multiline, enter j and select top, zero, or bottom justification.
To change the scale of the multiline, enter s and enter a new scale.
Now draw the multiline.
6. Specify the starting point.
7. Specify a second point.
8. Specify additional points, or press ENTER. If you specify three or more points, you
can enter c to close the multiline
e). POLYGON
Toolbar: Draw
Command entry: POLYGON

Creating polygons is a simple way to draw equilateral triangles, squares, pentagons,

hexagons, and so on
To draw a circumscribed polygon

1.

Click Draw

Polygon.

command prompt, enter polygon.

2.
At the command prompt, enter the number of sides.
3.
Specify the center of the polygon (1).
4.
Enter c to specify a polygon circumscribed about a circle.
5.
Enter the radius length (2).
To draw a polygon by specifying one edge
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Click Draw

At the command prompt, enter the number of sides.

Enter e (Edge).
Specify the start point for one polygon segment.
Specify the endpoint of the polygon segment.

To draw an inscribed polygon

Polygon.

At the

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Click Draw

Polygon.

At the command prompt, enter the number of sides.

Specify the center of the polygon.
Enter i to specify a polygon inscribed within a circle of specified points.
Enter the radius length.

f). RECTANGLE
You can create rectangles and regular polygons quickly.
Toolbar: Draw
Command entry: RECTANG

To draw a rectangle
1.

2.
3.

Click Draw

command prompt, enter rectang.

Specify the first corner of the rectangle.
Specify the other corner of the rectangle.

g). SPLINE

Rectangle.

At the

Toolbar: Draw
Command entry: SPLINE

Creates a smooth curve that passes through or near specified points.

To convert a spline by specifying points
1.

Click Draw

Spline.

At the

command prompt, enter spline.

2.
Specify the start point for the spline (1).
3.
Specify points (2 through 5) to create the spline, and press ENTER.
4.
Specify the start and end tangents (6, 7).
h). ELLIPSE
Toolbar: Draw
Command entry: ELLIPSE

Creates an ellipse or an elliptical arc.

To draw an isometric circle
1.

Click Tools menu

Settings.At the command prompt, enter dsettings.

Drafting

2.

In the Drafting Settings dialog box, Snap and Grid tab, under Snap Type and Style,
click Isometric Snap. Click OK.

3.
Click Draw Ellipse Axis, End.
Enter at the command prompt.
4.
Enter i (Isocircle).
5.
Specify the center of the circle.
6.
Specify the radius or diameter of the circle.
To draw a true ellipse using endpoints and distance
1.
Click Draw Ellipse Axis, End.

2.
3.
4.

Enter at the command prompt.

Specify the first endpoint of the first axis (1).
Specify the second endpoint of the first axis (2).
Drag the pointing device away from the midpoint, and click to specify a distance
(3) for half the length of the second axis.

To draw an elliptical arc using start and end angles

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Click Draw

Ellipse

Arc.

the command prompt, enter ellipse.

Specify endpoints for the first axis (1 and 2).
Specify a distance to define half the length of the second axis (3).
Specify the start angle (4).
Specify the end angle (5).
The elliptical arc is drawn counterclockwise between the start point and endpoint.

1.1.2. MODIFY TOOLS

a). ERASE
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: ERASE

To erase an object

At

1.

Click Modify

Erase.At the

Command prompt, enter erase.

2.
At the Select Objects prompt, use a selection method to select the objects to be
erased or enter an option:
Enter L (Last) to erase the last object drawn.
Enter p (Previous) to erase the last selection set.
Enter all to erase all objects from the drawing.
Enter ? to see a list of all selection methods.
3.
Press Enter to end the command.
b). COPY
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: COPY

To copy an object using two points

1.

2.
3.
4.

Command prompt, enter

Select the objects to copy.
Specify the base point.
Specify the second point. Press Enter.

Click Modify

Copy.At the

c). MIRROR
To mirror objects in 2D
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Click Modify

Mirror.At the

Command prompt, enter

Select the objects to mirror.
Specify the first point of the mirror line.
Specify the second point.
Press Enter to retain the original objects, or enter y to erase them.
Command entry: MIRROR

d). OFFSET
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: OFFSET

To offset an object by specifying a distance

1.

Click Modify

Offset.At the

Command prompt, enter offset.

2.
Specify the offset distance.
You can enter a value or use the pointing device.
3.
Select the object to offset.
4.
Specify a point on the side where you want to place the new objects.

5.

Select another object to offset, or press Enter to end the command.

To offset an object through a point

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Click Modify

Offset.

Enter t (Through).
Select the object to offset.
Specify the through point.
Select another object to offset, or press Enter to end the command.

e) . ARRAY
To create a rectangular array
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Click Modify Array.At the Command prompt, enter array.

In the Array dialog box, select Rectangular Array.
Click Select Objects.
Select the objects to be arrayed and press Enter.
In the Rows and Columns boxes, enter the number of rows and columns in the
array.
Specify the horizontal and vertical spacing (offsets) between objects
To change the rotation angle of the array, enter the new angle next to Angle of
Array.
The default angle 0 direction setting can also be changed in UNITS.
Click OK to create the array.
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: ARRAY

f). MOVE
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: MOVE

To move an object using two points

1.

Click Modify

Move.Enter at the

Command prompt.
2.
Select the objects to move.
3.
Specify a base point for the move.
4.
Specify a second point.
The objects you selected are moved to a new location determined by the distance and
direction between the first and second points.
g). ROTATE
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: ROTATE

To rotate an object
1.

Click Modify

Rotate.Enter rotate at

the Command prompt.

2.
Select the object to rotate.
3.
Specify the base point for the rotation.
4.
Do one of the following:

Enter the angle of rotation.

Drag the object around its base point and specify a point location to which
you want to rotate the object.

Enter c to create a copy of the selected objects.

Enter r to rotate the selected objects from a specified reference angle to an
absolute angle.

h). SCALE
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: SCALE

To scale an object by a scale factor

1.

2.
3.
4.

Click Modify

Scale.Enter at the

Command prompt.
Select the object to scale.
Specify the base point.
Enter the scale factor or drag and click to specify a new scale.

i). STRETCH
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: STRETCH

To stretch an object
1.

Command prompt.

Click Modify

Stretch.Enter at the

2.

Select the object using a crossing window selection.

The crossing window must include at least one vertex or endpoint.
3.
Do one of the following:

Enter the displacement in the form of a relative Cartesian, polar, cylindrical,

or spherical coordinate. Do not include the @ sign, because a relative coordinate is
assumed. Press Enter at the prompt for the second point of displacement.

Specify the base point for the stretch, and then specify a second point, to
determine the distance and direction.
Any objects with at least one vertex or endpoint included within the crossing window
are stretched. Any objects that are completely within the crossing window, or selected
individually, are moved without stretching.
j). LENGTHEN
Command entry: LENGTHEN

To change the length of an object by dragging

1.

Click Modify

Lengthen.

At the

Command prompt, enter lengthen.

2.
Enter dy (Dynamic Dragging mode).
3.
Select the object you want to lengthen.
4.
Drag the endpoint closest to the point of selection, and specify a new endpoint.
The selected object is lengthened or shortened without changing its location or
orientation.
k). TRIM
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: TRIM

To trim an object

1.

Click Modify

Trim.At the

Command prompt, enter trim.

2.
Select the objects to serve as cutting edges.
To select all displayed objects as potential cutting edges, press Enter without selecting
any objects.
3.
Select the objects to trim.
l). EXTEND
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: EXTEND

To extend an object
1.

Click Modify

Extend.At the

Command prompt, enter extend.

Select the objects to serve as boundary edges.
To select all displayed objects as potential boundary edges, press Enter without
selecting any objects.
3.
Select the objects to extend.
2.

m). BREAK
Toolbar: Modify

Command entry: BREAK

To break an object
1.

Click Modify

Break.At the

Command prompt, enter break.

Select the object to break.
By default, the point at which you select the object is the first break point. To select a
different pair of break points, enter f (First) and specify the first break point.
3.
Specify the second break point.
To break an object without creating a gap, enter @0,0 to specify the previous point.
2.

n). JOIN
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: JOIN

To join objects
1.

Click Modify

prompt, enter join.

2.
Select the source object to which you want to join objects.
3.
Select one or more objects to join to the source object.

Join.At the Command

Valid objects include arcs, elliptical arcs, lines, polylines, and splines. Additional

restrictions for each type of objects are described in the

JOIN

command.

o). CHAMFER
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: CHAMFER

To set chamfer distances

1.

Click Modify

Chamfer.At the

Command prompt, enter chamfer.

2.
Enter d (Distances).
3.
Enter the first chamfer distance.
4.
Enter the second chamfer distance.
5.
Select the lines for chamfering.
To chamfer two nonparallel line segments
1.

Click Modify

Chamfer.

2.

Select the first line.

3. Select the second line.

To chamfer by specifying chamfer length and angle
1.
Click Modify

2.
3.
4.
5.

Chamfer.

Enter a (Angle).
Enter the distance from the corner to be chamfered along the first line.
Enter the chamfer angle.
Select the first line. Then select the second line.

p). FILLET
Toolbar: Modify
Command entry: FILLET

To set the fillet radius

1.

Command prompt, enter fillet.

2.
Enter r (Radius).
3.
Enter the fillet radius
4.
Select the objects to fillet.
To fillet two line segments
1.
2. Click Modify Fillet.

Click Modify

Fillet.At the

3. Select the first line.

4. Select the second line.
To fillet without trimming
1.

Click Modify

Fillet.

2. If necessary, enter t (Trim). Enter n (No Trim).

3. Select the objects to fillet.
To fillet an entire polyline
1.
Click Modify

Fillet.

2.
3.

Enter p (Polyline).
Select the polyline

AutoCAD short cuts

DRAWING COMMANDS
COMMAND
1.Line
2.Multiline

:
:

SHORT CUT
L
ml

3.Poly line
4.3D Poly line
5.Polygon
6.Rectangle
7.Arc
8.Circle
9.Donut
10.Spline
11.Ellipse
12.Block
13.Write block
14.Insert
15.Hatch
16.Text
17.Dimension

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:

pl
3d poly
pol
Rec
a
c
do
spl
El
b
w
I
H
T
dim

EDITING COMMANDs (modifying)

1.Change properties
2.Erase
3.Copy
4.Mirror
5.Offset
6.Array
7.Move
8.Rotate
9.Scale
10.Stretch
11.Lengthen
12.Trim
13.Extend
14.Break
15.Chamfer
16.Fillet
17.Explode
18.Layer
19.Units
20.Zoom
21.Regen

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:

ch change
E
co or cp
mi
o
Ar
m
Ro
sc
S
Len
Tr
Ex
Br
cha
F
X
LA
UN
Z
Re

If we press Alt and type underline alphabet in main file then file will be
opened.
FUNCTION Keys

F1
F2

Help
Auto cad text screen to
Drawing screen vice-versa toggling
F3
O snap on or off toggling
F4
Tablet
F5
180-Plane off Top,right,left,toggling
F6
- Dynamic on or off toggling
F7
- Grid on or off toggling
F8
- ortho on or off toggling
F9
- snap on or off toggling
F10
- Polar on or off
F11
- o-tracer
F12
- Dynamic on or off
Control -2(ctrl-2) : Display tools various line, house design drawing,
electrical equipments.
REQUIREMENTS OF GOOD DRAWING:
1. Drawing should be clear, simple and clean
2. Should agree with the actual measurements by the accurately drawn scaled
measurements.
3. Exact information should be provided in order to carry out the work at site without
scaling for missing measurements.
4. Only minimum notes to support the drawings should be indicated in the drawings.
5. Sufficient space should be provided between the views so as to mark the dimensions
without crowding.

CONVENTIONAL SIGNS AND SYMBOLS:

Conventional signs are used to represent the particular item like stone masonry,
brick masonry, concrete etc in the section of drawing. (i.e.,) when the materials are
cut by any imaginary plane. Conventional symbols are provided to indicate doors,
windows, their fixing, movement of shutters. When they are cloud or opened, various
water supply and sanitary fixtures like tap, wash basin, W.C., urinals, Kitchen sink,
shower etc, symbols are used to indicate the position of electrical fittings like
lamp, switch, power socket, fan etc. To indicate positions of furniture on drawing
room, bedroom, suitable symbols are used.

The Bureau of Indian standards (B.I.S) has recommended the conventional

signs and symbols for the following purposes.

1. Avoid confusion and to understand the drawings

2. Save the time in making out various details in the drawing
3. Identify the various details of materials, Electrical fixtures, water- supply and
sanitary fittings, Position of furnitures etc.
4. To prevent any dispute between contractor and owner in the actual
construction of the structure.

Practical 1. Engg. Materials symbols - diagrams

The conventional signs for civil Engg. materials as shown

Practical 2. Water supply and Sanitary fixtures - diagrams

Practical 3. Electrical Installations diagrams

Footing
Footing requirements are generally covered in the building code and sized in accordance with the
bearing capacity of the soil and the weight of the building. In areas subject to seasonal frost, the
bottom of the footing must be placed below the frost line to prevent damage to the footing and

structure due to frost heave. The type of footing you use will depend on the type of wall you are
building.

Isolated FoundationsA footing supporting a single column is called an combinal isolated footing, shallow foundation Footing or a spread
footing.
Normally used for good bearing capacity, Individual Square, Rectangle or Circular pads under columns. In this case
only steel at bottom is sufficient to resist up lift force. As a rule, concrete, when of sufficient depth and width, and when
properly made and laid, make the best footing course. Concrete for footings should be made of 1 part good cement, 3
parts of clean, sharp sand, and 6 parts sharp, broken stone. In very important work, such as bridge piers and the footings
of very tall buildings, chimneys, etc. a mixture consisting of 1 part cement, 2 parts of sand and 4 parts of broken stone is
sometimes used. The building laws call for 1 part cement, 3 parts sand and 5 parts broken stone.