Cad Tut 2. Introduction to AutoCAD window and toolbars used for 2D/3D drafting.
In the previous article, we discussed about AutoCAD software information and how to install the software. Now, this tutorial covers the basic features of CAD software and its display toolbars.
Toolbars are used for quick access to commands, which means instead of writing commands, you can directly access this feature with toolbars.
How to start AUTOCAD software:
1) On your desktop, see the Autocad 2012 icon (or whatever year/version you have installed). click on it or
2) START / ALL PROGRAMS / Autodesk / Autocad English 2012 / Launch it.
AutoCAD Window:
When you open Autocad you will get by default drawing and annotation workspace but you have to change it to autocad Classic using workspace control toolbar because this view is supported in all versions so I will only use this one.
Now, the screenshot below shows Autocad Classic software drawing window with necessary toolbars
These toolbars are used to make 2D and 3D drawings.
Autocad classic viewHow to enable toolbars:
1) Basically you know the menu bar i.e. the menu box contains File, Edit, View, Insert, Format…. just see the image above.
2) Go to Tools in MenuBar /Toolbars/ AUTOCAD/ Select Toolbars
3) As shown in the figure Enable or remove the toolbars you want. Basic toolbar names that will require drawing:
2D Drawing Toolbars
- Draw- To draw lines, circles, arcs, ellipses or many drawing shapes.
- Modify- Modify the drawing -Operations such as Move, Copy, Trim, Mirror and Shift.
- Dimension toolbar – To give dimension to the object.
- Draw order
- Layer
- Standard
- Workspace- Already mentioned, this toolbar is used to select the Autocad Classic view.
- properties
- styles
3D Drawing Toolbars
- Modeling- Directly draw 3D objects like Prism, cylinder, Pyramid.
- Orbit- To rotate 3D objects in any direction.
- View- This is an important toolbar to change the view of objects i.e. front view, side view, top view, bottom view as well as 3D views.
- Visual Styles
- Solid Edition
Tips: If you don't know the toolbar name, move the cursor on that toolbar and wait a few seconds, the toolbar name will be displayed.
