Autocad®: Secrets Every User Should Know

Chapter 4. Applying Graphics Standards

Technical-graphics standards are the rules of drafting, developed over many years, that make technical communication more consistent and therefore more reliable. Because AutoCAD doesn't automatically apply proper graphics standards, that job falls to us. And it's not always easy.

Although there is some variation among offices, every discipline has generally accepted universal practices. The most clearly defined standards are those in the mechanical-design industry. Standards for drawings (and other engineering standards) are published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). ASME Y14.5M-1994 is the current standard for dimensioning, but it's due for an update soon. These standards are voluntary, ...