Lesson 1

Getting Started with AutoCAD 2014:

This chapter will introduce you to AutoCAD 2014. You will study the User Interface CUI);
you will also learn how to open and exit a drawing and adjust the view of the drawing on the
screen. It is recommended that the student spend an ample amount of time learning this
material, as it will greatly enhance your ability to progress smoothly through subsequent
lessons.

Overview of Auto CAD 2014U ser Interface

What is AutoCAD 2014?
AutoCAD 2014 is the world's standard 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.
AutoCAD 2014 is a product of Autodesk, which also makes Revit, AutoCAD Architecture
and 3DS Max to name a few. The Autodesk company web site (www.autodeskcom) claims
more than 8 million users in over 100 countries. Autodesk's thousands of employees create
products available in many languages.

What is AutoCAD 2014used for?

AutoCAD 2014 is used by virtually every industry that creates technical drawings.
Just a small sampling of AutoCAD users include industries like:
Construction (Architects, Manufacturers
and Contractors)
Aviation
Management

Automotive
Ship Design
Facilities
Media and Entertainment

Why use AutoCAD 2014?

Many people ask the question, why use AutoCAD 2014 versus other programs? The answer
can certainly vary depending on the situation and particular needs of an
individual! organization.
Generally speaking, this is why most companies use AutoCAD:
Many designers and drafters are using AutoCAD to create highly accurate drawings
that can be easily modified.
As the "standard" CAD software among many industries, transferring drawings (i.e.,
sharing) is very simple.
AutoCAD's large set of features and ability to handle very large, complex drawing
projects.
Many people are trained to use AutoCAD,whether at a previous job or in school. An
employer is more likely to find an employee trained in the use of AutoCAD than any
other CAD program.
Many universities and colleges teach AutoCAD. Many companies require potential
employees to know how to use AutoCAD.

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Residential Design Using AutoCAD 2014

Architecture and AutoCAD?

The Architectural profession heavily uses AutoCAD, or AutoCAD Architecture, to create
drawings, schedules and presentation materials. A seasoned AutoCAD user can quickly
generate several design options of a reception area, for example, and then even create a
photo-realistic 3D rendering to show the client.

What about the Architectural Programs?

Many architectural fIrms still use AutoCAD even though there are several software packages
that are specifIcally designed for architecture. The general reason has to do with design tools
needed, cost, and staff knowledge of the software.
The architectural programs, like Autodesk Revit Architecture(RAC) and AutoCAD
Architecture (ACA), cost quite a bit more than AutoCAD, and for good reason. For
example, ACA is built on top of AutoCAD. That means that ACA has everything AutoCAD
has plus many additional features geared specifIcally towards architecture; it stands to reason
that ACA would be equal to the cost of AutoCAD plus something for the additional
features.
In any case, students are typically fIrst trained using AutoCAD and then they are exposed to
the more advanced programs (either in school or industry). This is similar to other programs
such as Computer Science, where the student fIrst learns a popular/industry standard
program (to focus on the basics) and then, later in the program, tackles advanced languages
such as Microsoft .N et.

32 bit versus 64 bit?

Starting in the 2009 version of AutoCAD, a 64 bit version of the software is available. This
allows the software to take full advantage of hardware that, for the most part, has been 64bit
for a few years now. One of the biggest advantages is access to more than 3GB of RAM.
Many CAD stations have 8GB of RAM to handle large projects. It should be pointed out
that most computers come with a 32 bit operating system (e.g., Windows XP, Vista or
Windows 7); however both have 64bit versions which cost a little more.

New features?
Every version of AutoCAD is usually packed with new features. The goal of this text is to
teach you the basics and if those fundamental tools have changed you will then be learning
something unique to this version of the software. But this book is not going to cover a new
feature just because it is new - many new features are often intermediate to advanced tools
such as the recently added "organic" 3D modeling tools. A new user needs to focus on the
basics before jumping in the deep end!
.

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Getting Started with AutoCAD 2014

Overview of AutoCAD 2014 User Interface

AutoCAD is a powerful and sophisticated program. Because of its powerful feature set, it
has a measurable learning curve. However, when broken down into smaller pieces, you can
easily learn to harness the power of AutoCAD; that is the goal of this book.
This exercise will walk through the different sections of the User Interface CUI).
Understanding the user interface is the key to using any program's features.
NOTE: Make sure the Workspace feature is set to Drafting & Annotation (see pg. 1-10);
this will help ensureyour screen matches the book images.

APPLICATION MENU

CURRENT DRAWING NAME

(THE LARGE LETTER A)

(IN TI1LEBAR)

QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR

WORKSPACE LIST

YOu are not signed in to your

Autodesk 360 account. Please ~

to U5e' design feed.

CURSOR . ,. .:,.,...,....."....,.i..,....,-..-.......
" ,,{CROSsHAIRS) 1

.----+-- USER COORDINATE

, SYSTEM'~CS)lCON:i'"

DRAFfING & DISPLAY TOOLS

~----------STATUSBAR ----------~

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FIGURE 1-2.1
AutoCAD User Interface

Residential Design Using AutoCAD 2014

The AutoCAD User Interface (the details):

Clicking the large, red "A" shaped letter reveals
several menus and tools. AutoCAD has a series of
menus on the left. Click on each of the menus to
explore their contents.

Application Menu:

FYI: The circled numbers indicate the steps required to access the
feature used to print a drawing.

The Open, Save and Close commands will be covered in the next exercise.

IlatdtPlot
Fublin multiple sheets or drawings to
a plotter, printer, DWF or PJF fil~,

Item A:
The Search box, highlighted by
the letter A, allows you to
type in a word to find related
commands. For example, try
typing "arc" (no need to press
Enter) and you will see several
items appear. Click the "X" to
the right of the search box to
clear the search.

FIot.......-w
Oisplav the drawng ai it w II be
~Iotte".

VIeW I'IOt a!MJ PvOllsll Uet.1II5

Oisptav infcrmation about comp eted

~fot

ana PLDIIShjODS,

pageSelup

(ontrol the DaQt tavo.rt. pllttinq

cevice. pap~r Sizt, and other settings
fJr each neoN layout.
Manage I'Iotkn

l)jsplav the Plotter Manage', where ycu

can aed or e-dlt all plotter confrguration.

l&itAutoCADl

1-4

ItemB:
The Options button opens a
dialog with a plethora of
settings; the new user would
do well to avoid changing
settings here.

Getting Started with AutoCAD 2014

Next you will explore the Ribbon and how the various Tabs control the tools displayed there.
Again, if your screen does not have these kinds of graphics, you need to make sure the
''Workspace'' is set to Drafting & Annotation (see pg. 1-10 for more information).
FYI: You should know that some of the graphicsyou see in this textbook for the User Inteiface are
new to this version ofAutoCAD, so ifyou are using an older version of the programyou will not
have access to the same graphics. (You should use the version of this textbook that matches the
version ofyour software.)

Next you will just look at a few of the Panels on the Home tab.

Home-7 Draw:
The Draw panel, on the Home tab, contains commands which allow
you to draw basic 2D lines and shapes as well as hatching (hatching
is a type of object that fills an area with a pattern).

Expandingpanels

Many Panels have additional, but less used tools, available

in a fly-out portion of the Panel; you can tell if a Panel can
be expanded by the litde down-arrow (triangle) next to
the panel name (see upper example to the left). Clicking
anywhere in the bottom "tidebar" will expand the Panel as
shown to the left. Once you click away from the Panel the
extended portion will close - unless you click the "pin"
icon in the lower right, which will keep the Panel
expanded until you un-pin it. The remaining example
images in this section will only be shown expanded (if
available) to save space in this book.

0 [f3;.

: (!),.

line Polyline

Circle

Arc.

~.

rJ N//".4 ~
@:l

'EJ' G~ i!Jt
Draw

,
j

Home -7 Modify:

.:+
.. Move

ca

Copy

i [~ Stretc.h

Rotate

-/--- Trim

_~

..11~ Mirror

{] Fillet

4fII

~ Sc.ale

~~ Array ~,

I
I ~ 'l1~/L:>,~.Wi sg,
I.ilLl.C -- ,~ ~ ! ~l

~__.__.___."...._~Ify__..__"____._. _J

This Panel contains commands that modify objects in

your drawings: Move, Mirror, Array, Stretch, Copy,
'
Offset, Rotate and Erase.
This book spends a significant amount of time
helping you develop a solid understanding of how
these tools work; you use these commands
throughout the book - practice makes perfect!

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Residential Design Using AutoCAD 2014

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Home ~ Layers:
This Panel contains tools to create and manage drawing
Layers.
FYI: Layers allowyou to manage the displqy and the organization

of drawing entities; more on this later.

TIP: When nothing is selected, the Layer drop-down list displqys
the cutTent Iqyer; when something is selected, it displqys which Iqyer
the selected entiry is on. (If oijects on multiple Iqyers are selected the
displqy is blank.)

View control icons:

When you are ready to print a drawing you create a Layout

View. Each Layout View, represented by the thumbnails after
the Model thumbnail, contains various settings such as paper
size and drawing scale. The icons on the Status Bar allow you
to switch between these views quickly.
Overview of numbers in image below:
1.) Model Space/Paper Space Toggle
2.) Show/Hide Layout thumbnails
3.) Show/Hide Open drawings thumbnails
4.) Toolbar for Layout thumbnail mode shown by
clicking on item #2

LAYOUT VIEW
lHUMBNAILS

A feature of your operating

system,Windows 7: you can also
hover over the AutoCAD button on
the taskbar to see a preview of any
open drawings (see image to the
right).

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Getting Started with AutoCAD 2014

Command Window:

The Command Window allows you to type in commands;

suggested commands will be listed as you type (Auto
Complete). AutoCAD displays options and prompts for
specific input for a command. When the main line says "1)pe
a command', as in the image below, you know there are not
any commands active or running. Command history is
displayed above the Command Window.
TIP: lfyou accidentallY close the Command Window,you can restore
it I:Y pressing Ctrl + 9 (i.e., press both krys at the same time) on the
kryboard

Drafting & Display:

This area indicates the status of various settings plus the

coordinates of the cursor (cross-hairs) on the screen. It also
displays the length and angle of a line while it's being created.
The icons are buttons which toggle whether that feature is on
or not. You can also right click on the buttons to adjust the
settings associated with each tool. You may wish to click the
Grid Display icon to toggle it off as it is not needed now.
TIP: When you hover over an icon, a tooltip will appear tellingyou the name

of the icon; this is han4J untilyou learn what the icon for each tool looks like.

TIP: lfyou right-click on the Drqfting & Displqy icons,you can "uncheck" Use Icons if
you would prefer to see letters rather than graphics; these take up a little more space but are
easier to find.

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Residential Design Using AutoCAD 2014

Title Bar:

The Title Bar lists the program name, when space permits, and then
the name of the drawing that is active. The Quick AccessToo/bar, on the
left, gives you convenient access to often used commands: New, Open, and
Save drawing, plus Print, Undo and Redo. The area on the right provides
quick access to search the Help System and log into Autodesk 360; more on
both of them later in this chapter.

fif----.--~;:-;;;=~j~====~~~;-;.~,;,:~;:;~::;0~~~=-=="i:~~~,~::~~~~-----------------="::.IllJ:::::~21

ues Icon:

This symbol helps to keep track of your drawing's orientation relative

to the X, Y, Z coordinate system. It also serves as a visual indicator
of the current display mode: 2D view, 3D view, perspective, or shade
mode, for example.

2D view

3D view

. Standard

Welcome Screen:

The Welcome Screen is the fIrst screen you see when AutoCAD is
started. This interface gives you access to relevant information from
Autodeskand access to add-ins, which can extend the capabilities of
AutoCAD. Some add-ins are free, while others require payment. The
checkbox in the lower left corner allows you to prevent this from
appearing each time AutoCAD is launched.You may reopen it at any
time by typing "welcome" and then pressing Enter.

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Getting Started with AutoCAD 2014

When the Quick Properties tool icon is toggled on the Status Bar
(see image at bottom of this page), AutoCAD will automatically
display a small Properties palette near any selected item. When
multiple items are selected it will list the quantity selected and
any common properties that would normally be displayed by
Quick Properties. When you press Esc to deselect everything, the
Quick Properties palette goes away.

Quick Properties:

The example b~low shows a Block (i.e., symbol- of a toilet in

this case) selected. You need to open the main Properties palette
to see all properties (via Ctrl+l).

A-Mech-Pfix

---<------+----------Nunc!

\,'\"'

R~--;--I90-----------------r- ---------~-----------------

,,'

TIP:,

--

MODElNUM8ER iK-4319
TRADENAM-E---+K1NGsTO"N----------------

i~.;i.'c/Qtlfllelkt

Drawing Tabs:

4329pln

Each open drawing file is represented by a tab just below the

Ribbon (see image below). This allows you to quickly switch
between drawings. You can click the "X" to the right of the
drawing name to close the file; if the drawing has unsaved
changes (indicated by an asterisk next to the name), you will be
prompted to save them. The plus icon to the right of the last
tab allows you to quickly start a new drawing. A right-click
presents several options. Finally, hovering your cursor over a
tab shows the model/paper space previous similar to the status
bar option.

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Residential Design Using AutoCAD 2014

Resetting the User Interface:

If the User Inlet/ace shown in Figure 1-2.1 does not match your computer's display, you can
reset it. You, or someone who uses your workstation, may have customized some settings
(although settings should be saved by user login). The next steps will describe how to reset
the screen configuration.
NOTE: This step is not necessary to work through this book. It is simplY offeredfor individuals

that mqy have an extremelY customized displqy and want to reset it to make comparing the images
in the textbook easier.

1. Open AutoCAD (see Exercise 1-3 for instruction on this).

2. Locate the Workspace Switching icon as shown in Figure 1-2.2.
NOTE: The Workspace Switching icon is located on the Quick Access Toolbar in the
upper/eft corner of the screen.

(uS1Orl1izL

FIGURE 1-2.2 Workspace switching menu - menu shows after clicking downarrow

3. Click the down arrow and select Drafting & Annotation from the pop-up
menu.
FYI: Another option is 3D Modeling which reorganizes the screen to make the 3D commands
readilY available (not used in this book). You can try switching to another Workspace to see what
it does,just switch back to Drcifting & Annotation before moving on.

Your screen should look similar to Figure 1-2.2. You can reset this anytime to get back to a
clean slate.
If you are still having problems, you can try Resetting the program to its default settings.
This will remove any customization that has been applies to the user interface. The tool to
reset AutoCAD is found in the Windows Start menu, not AutoCAD. With AutoCAD closed,
click Start -7 Autodesk -7 AutoCAD 2014 - English -7 Reset Settings to Default. This
command can be seen in the image on the next page.
This concludes our brief overview of the AutoCAD user interface.

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