Print this page 2006 Minimal AutoCADŽ
Thomas Mason, PE
Course Outline
The course begins with an extended explanatory narrative discussing the background of AutoCAD, how the program works and how it is used. This is followed by demonstration of different commands to start a drawing - new, template, open, grid, snap, osnap, polar, pan, inserting a picture, model and paper space and the layer manager.
Next are the basic draw commands - line, polyline, circle, polygon, block and mtext. Text is included as a draw command, consistent with the author's opinion that graphics need embedded description to communicate adequately.
Draw commands are followed by edit commands - OSNAP, move, copy, stretch, erase, trim, ddedit, ddatte, CHPROP and MATCHPROP. Ddedit and ddatte are relatively new commands for editing text. CHPROP and MATCHPROP permit you to change the appearance and plotting of graphic objects to match a standard or to match a model.
The draw and edit commands permit you to create the screen image you need. In the next section, save commands help protect the value created and link by e-mail to distribute it. Finally, plot and clipboard commands convert the screen image to hardcopy and transfer images to other documents.
Last in the command section is a list of common problems and work-arounds.
This completes the core content. Next, three extended examples are included to help you improve your comfort level with the commands and to help you create simple documents which will be of immediate value.
The appendix material
includes a list of internet references which may be of interest, and a quiz
to get credit.
The course includes
a multiple-choice quiz at the end, based upon the changes, critical requirements
and Table of Contents.
Learning Objective
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
- open an AutoCAD session on a machine on which it is already installed;
- start an empty new drawing;
- start a new drawing per a set of stored conventions (by template);
- setup the workspace for user comfort during the session;
- draw presentable engineering sketches and report graphics;
- open existing construction drawings;
- add arrows and text as comments in a non-destructive manner;
- save the markup under the original drawing title or under a new title, as, "A-1_TLM_6Jan06";
- confidently modify text on a construction drawing as emergency repairs before shipment;
- confidently modify linework on a construction drawing as emergency repairs before shipment;
- confidently modify plotting parameters to get good hardcopy for shipment;
- quickly create tables (schedules) for construction drawings or engineering reports;
- create block diagrams and flow diagrams much faster than with VISIO®, Corel®, or Adobe®;
- create a quick map to an office or construction site; and
- ask the right
questions to permit setup of a new drawing to match a proposed or existing
set.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for anyone who has access to a personal computer with AutoCAD installed. ACAD is a powerful, easy tool for quickly communicating graphic content. New sketches and mark-ups of existing drawings and photographs can be prepared and distributed by e-mail without weeks of delay.
Benefit to Attendees
If you presently communicate with superiors, subordinates, vendors, clients, friends and family using line drawings and pictures, AutoCAD will help you do it faster and easier, with better results.
Course Content
The course content is in 2006 Minimal AutoCADŽ (PDF File). You need to open or download any of these documents to study this course.
Course Summary
Drawing lines, circles, boxes, curves and text can't be all that hard! Minimal AutoCAD presents just the commands you need to create graphics for proposals, maps to meetings and data tables. It prepares you to perform emergency revisions on project drawings which must be released on schedule. Focus is on presentable results.
Related Links
These sources are offered for reference and educational value. None of the products is particularly recommended by the author or PDHonline.
Free 30-minute webcasts - http://www.adskhost.net/22506/22506_outside.php?src=ACADKicker
interesting AutoCAD website - http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/autoCAD.html
what Wikopedia thinks - http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/AutoCAD
free tutorials on AutoCAD 2000 and 2002 - http://www.upfrontezine.com/tailor/resources.htm
excellent magazine - http://www.cadalyst.com/cadalyst/
free tutorials on AutoCAD 2005 - http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/
review of ver 2006; turn off command line - http://www.aecbytes.com/review/AutoCAD2006.htm
$209 - DVD tutorial on AutoCAD 2006 - http://www.netwind.com/html/autocad-2006-training.html
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
