Chapter 3

A Lap around the CAD Track

IN THIS CHAPTER

Bullet Setting up a simple drawing

Bullet Drawing some objects

Bullet Zooming and panning in a drawing

Bullet Editing some objects

Bullet Plotting a drawing

Chapters 1 and 2 introduce you to the AutoCAD world and to the AutoCAD interface. Other chapters in this book present the techniques that underlie good drafting practice. By now, you’re probably eager to start moving the cursor around and drawing something. This chapter leads you on a gentle tour of the most common CAD drafting functions, including setting up a new drawing, drawing and editing objects, zooming and panning the view, and printing (or plotting) a drawing. I don’t go into full detail about every option of every command, but I give you a feel for what it can do. Go ahead and slam the tires, and don’t worry about putting a dent in the doors!

In this chapter, you create the drawing of an architectural detail of a base plate and column. Even if you don’t work in architecture or building construction, ...

Get AutoCAD For Dummies, 19th Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.