AutoCAD Tutorial for a Beginner

AutoCAD is a very important drafting tool in technology-driven industries.

AutoCAD is a widely used program in the engineering, architecture and design fields. It is a 2-D and 3-D drafting program that allows for the creation of detailed and accurate scale drawings. A notable characteristic of AutoCAD is the flexibility in its accommodation for different working styles. Generally, a task can be completed in a variety of ways, depending on the particular preferences of a user. This beginner tutorial will demonstrate the multiple methods of starting and executing a command.

Instructions

Using the "Ribbon" Menu

1. Locate the "Ribbon" menu on the top portion of your AutoCAD interface. This is the row of buttons that are organized in "Draw," "Modify," "Layers" and other categories. For demonstration of the multiple command entry methods, we will use the "Line" tool.

2. Click on the "Line" button in the "Draw" category. In your drawing area, click on a point in the space to begin drawing your line, then click on a second point to create a two-point line.

3. Right click to bring up a drop-down menu, and click "Enter" to finish your command.

Using Keyboard Entry

1. Type in "Line" and press "Enter." This will begin your "Line" command. As in Section 1, click on a point in space to begin creating your line. Click again to create the second point of your line, then press "Enter" again to finish your command.

2. Type in "L" and press "Enter." You will notice that this will begin your line creation tool as well. This working method is known as a "keyboard shortcut." Many commands in AutoCAD have keyboard shortcuts, which allow for users to type in a single letter or two to three letters instead of typing the full command name to execute a command.

3. Click on your workspace to begin creating a line. Click on at least two points and press "Enter" to finish the command.

Using the Pull-Down Menu

1. Click on the small arrow button next to the Printer icon at the top of the interface. This will show a drop down menu titled "Customize Quick-Access Toolbar." Click on "Show Menu Bar" at the bottom of the list to reveal the pull-down menu at the top of your interface. This will be a classic menu that is commonly at the top of many programs, with menus such as "File" and "Edit."

2. Click on "Draw" from the pull-down menu. Select "Line," click on your drawing space to create the line, and be sure to create at least two points.

3. Press "Enter" to finish the command.

Tips & Warnings

• There are multiple ways of ending a command as well. You can right click and select "Enter," press "Enter" on the keyboard or even press the "Space Bar."

• Keyboard shortcuts are by far the most efficient way to work in AutoCAD. As you learn the functions of new commands, be sure to try to memorize the keyboard shortcut for that command.

References

• CADTutor: Starting a Command

Resources

• CADTutor.net