Autocad 2009 Essential Training

AutoCAD 2009 features a Ribbon similar to that of Microsoft Office

AutoCAD 2009 is a CAD (computer aided design) application used to design buildings, draw circuit diagrams and produce other high-precision graphics. AutoCAD training teaches the following general CAD concepts and techniques: navigating in 2D space, drafting basic 2D shapes, specifying exact dimensions and angles, creating 3D objects and other topics. New AutoCAD users with a firm grasp of basic geometry will move smoothly through AutoCAD training. However, regardless of skill in math, the desire to learn is the best determinant of success in gaining AutoCAD proficiency.

Drawing 2D Shapes

Drawing basic shapes like rectangles and polylines is an essential task that AutoCAD 2009 training will teach. You can draw rectangles in a number of ways. The Ribbon, a toolbar with large icons, has a rectangle tool in the Home tab's Draw panel. The polyline, a chain of line or arc segments, is also in this panel. AutoCAD students will learn how to specify a line or arc by using the program's keyboard shortcuts while drawing the polyline.

Modifying 2D Shapes

Essential training will also include work in modifying or editing AutoCAD's shapes. Students will learn how editing begins by selecting a shape to display its control points. Moving those points by clicking and dragging them will follow the lesson on selection.

Students will also learn the fundamental operations of scaling and rotation, as they're implemented in AutoCAD 2009. They'll rotate shapes by first specifying a center point with the mouse, then clicking and dragging the shape around that point to perform the actual rotation. AutoCAD instructors will show how scaling works essentially the same way: a reference point is established and the mouse dragged to begin the scaling.

Coordinate Systems

Instructors will also teach students about 2D and 3D coordinate systems, which will likely be familiar to students from algebra classes in grade school. Two dimensional coordinates are represented by a pair of numbers, with one number indicating a horizontal location and the other a vertical location. Instructors will point out that AutoCAD's default view, the "Top" view, is ideal for generating such coordinates.

Three Dimensions

Students will also learn to extrude 2D shapes into 3D objects. Instructors will present the concept of extrusion--stretching, essentially--and give students practice in the keyboard command "Extrude." They'll also show students how to use the AutoCAD 2009 Ribbon to perform extrusion--the "Extrude" button in the Home tab's Modeling panel.

Projects

Instructors will present CAD concepts and AutoCAD instructions in the context of design projects. These projects will likely include creating floor plans and making simplified 3D models of cars and houses.

References

• Diablo Valley College: Introduction to Computer Aided Design
• "AutoCAD 2009 & AutoCAD LT 2009 Bible"; Ellen Finkelstein; 2008