How To Learn Autocad LT
AutoCAD LT is a version of AutoDesk's AutoCAD software, which architects and engineers use to design structures requiring precise measurements. AutoCAD LT differs from its parent program in its feature set, which is smaller than AutoCAD's. In particular, the tools for creating and viewing 3-D objects are sparse. However, AutoCAD LT has many features for producing the same precision 2-D designs as AutoCAD, and at a lower price. Users new to AutoCAD LT will learn the program quickly if they adopt modest goals for their first few sessions with the program.
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Instructions
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Open AutoCAD and create a rectangle by using the mouse and the menu commands. First, expose the hidden menu bar by clicking the down arrow next to the printer icon, in the application's title bar. Click the "Show menu bar" option. The program will display "File," "Edit" and other menu headings typically found in Windows programs, along with headings specific to AutoCAD LT.
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Click the "Draw" menu heading, then click the "Rectangle" item. Click anywhere in the main drawing window, then drag the mouse to define the rectangle. Click again to end the rectangle creation.
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Draw a rectangle using input from the keyboard. Click the "Draw" menu and "Rectangle" item again, then click on a clear portion of the drawing window.
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Notice the small down arrow to the right of the prompt, which says, "Specify other corner or [down arrow]." This arrow tells you that other options are available, which you can access by pressing the down arrow on your keyboard. Click that key to display the other options.
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Select the "Area" option, which lets you define a rectangle that meets a precise area measurement. At the next prompt, enter the rectangle's area. Use "100" as a sample area.
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Select "Length" at the next prompt. This action tells the program that you'll specify the length of the rectangle. AutoCAD LT will then determine the rectangle's width, based on the area you entered previously, and the length you'll enter now. Enter any positive number that's less than the area number you entered earlier. The program will draw the finished rectangle.
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Begin modifying the rectangle, by first clicking anywhere on its perimeter. The program will display the rectangle's blue handles, which you can use to resize and reshape the rectangle.
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Click any handle to select it, then drag. The handle will follow your mouse cursor while the remaining handles stay in place.
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Drag the handle you selected so that it approaches vertical or horizontal alignment with any of the remaining handles. Notice that the program will "snap" your selected handle so that it aligns with the other handle. This feature allows you to easily create symmetrical designs visually, without having to enter numbers to align a shape's handles (which are also called vertices).
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Add a new vertex. Click the rectangle to select it, then move your mouse pointer over any of the blue handles. A small pop-up menu will appear. Click the menu's "Add Vertex" item. The program will add a new vertex, which will follow your mouse cursor. Drag the new vertex anywhere near the rectangle and click to place the new vertex.
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References
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