AutoCAD Basic Interface – AutoCAD Window Explained

AutoCAD is a software application for 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting — available since 1982 as a desktop application and since 2010 as a mobile web- and cloud-based app, currently marketed as AutoCAD 360. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, Inc. AutoCAD was first released in December 1982
— having been purchased a year prior in its original form by Autodesk founder John Walker. The software is currently marketed in its eighteenth generation.

HOW TO START AUTOCAD

If you’ve already installed AutoCAD and are ready to jump in and take a look, proceed with the following steps to launch the program:
1. Choose Start a All Programs a Autodesk a AutoCAD a AutoCAD 2014. You can also double-click the AutoCAD 2014 icon on your Windows Desktop.
2. The AutoCAD window displays a blank default document named Drawing1.dwg. Usersmay see the Sheet Set Manager palette to the left of the AutoCAD window. AutoCAD users may see the Info palette to the left of the AutoCAD window.

Read more : Autocad mechanical practice drawings pdf free Download

The AutoCAD Window

The AutoCAD program window is divided into several parts:

1. Application menu
2. Access toolbar
3. Info enter
4. Ribbon
5. Drawing tabs
6. Drawing area
7. UCS icon (User Coordinate System icon)
8. Viewport Controls
9. View Cube
10. Navigation bar
11. Command window
12. Status bar

Figure  shows a typical layout of the AutoCAD program window. You can organize the AutoCAD window into any arrangement you want and save it as a workspace. You can save and recall a workspace at any time using the Workspace Switching tool in the Quick Access toolbar. The default workspace in Figure 2.2 is called the Drafting & Annotation workspace and is one of several workspaces built into AutoCAD.

Application Menu:

The Application menu offers tools to help you manage your AutoCAD files. It is basically the File pull-down menu from previous versions of AutoCAD. Try it out to see how it works:

1. Click the Application menu icon in the upper-left corner of the AutoCAD window. A list of options appears.
2. Move the cursor slowly down the list of options in the left column. As you highlight the Options, additional options appear in a column to the right.
3. Highlight the Export option to see the various formats available for export.

Drawing Area:

The drawing area covers the major portion of the screen. In this area, you can draw the objects and use the commands. To draw the objects, you need to define the coordinate points, which can be selected by using your pointing device. The position of the pointing device is represented on the screen by the cursor. The window also has the standard windows buttons such as close, minimize, scroll bar etc on the top right corner.

 Command Window:

As mentioned, at the bottom of the screen, just above the status bar, is a small horizontal window called the Command window. Here, AutoCAD displays responses to your input while you’re using a command. By default, it shows one line of text. This line shows the current
responses to your command input as well as command options.

UCS Icon:

In the lower-left corner of the drawing area, you see an L-shaped line. This is the User Coordinate System (UCS) icon, which tells you your orientation in the drawing. This icon becomes helpful as you start to work with complex 2D drawings and 3D models. The X and Y
indicate the x and y-axes of your drawing.

Ribbon:

The most prominent feature in the AutoCAD window, besides the drawing area, is the Ribbon. This is where you’ll be selecting tools to draw, edit, or perform other functions. The Ribbon contains a set of panels representing groups of tools and features.

Navigation bar:

The navigation bar is displayed in the drawing area and contains navigation tools,

 View Cube:

View cube is available on the top right corner of the drawing area and is used to switch between the standard and isometric views or roll the current view.

More Resources /articles

CAD Software | CAD Tutorials

Computer integrated manufacturing Notes , Articles , Interview Que and Ans

CAD / CAM Projects List - Abstract , Report Download

Structural analysis and Design 3d Model Projects

New Mechanical Projects 2020 ( All Projects Post Index List )

Related posts:

CAD Tut 2. Introduction To AutoCad Window and Toolbars used for 2D/3D Drafting How to open bak file in autocad- AutoCAD Backup and Autosave CADTut.1 Introduction to AutoCAD and Its advantages- AutoCAD Software Information CAD Tut 4. Do this Initial Setting Before Starting any AutoCad Drawings. Autocad Vs Autocad LT- Difference Between Autocad and Autocad lt AutoCAD tips and tricks | 33 Tips Every AutoCAD User Should Know Autocad vs Revit- Difference between Autocad and Revit used for architecture AutoCAD tutorial for beginners pdf Free Download