Draft Sight

Unit 1

DraftSight™ Basics

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Unit 1 DraftSight Basics

UNIT 1-1 INTRODUCING DRAFTSIGHT

UNIT 1-2 INTRODUCING COMMANDS

UNIT 1-3 USING DRAW COMMANDS

UNIT 1-4 USING DELETE AND SELECTION SETS

UNIT 1-5 UNDERSTANDING BASIC DISPLAY COMMANDS

UNIT 1-6 ENTITY SNAPPING

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Unit 1-1 Introducing DraftSight

1-1.1 LAUNCHING DRAFTSIGHT

1-1.2 CREATING A NEW DRAWING

1-1.3 INTRODUCING TEXT AND GRAPHICS SCREENS

1-1.4 UNDERSTANDING THE CURSOR

1-1.5 CANCELING A COMMAND

1-1.6 USING THE MAIN MENU

1-1.7 USING TOOLBARS

1-1.8 USING THE STATUS BAR AND COMMAND PROMPT

1-1.9 COMMAND ALIASES

1-1.10 USING THE MOUSE

1-1.11 UNDERSTANDING UNDO AND REDO

1-1.12 GETTING HELP

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1-1.1 Launching DraftSight Once the program is installed, there are two ways to launch DRAFTSIGHT.

1. Double click on the DraftSight icon on the Desktop Or

2. Select Start>All Programs>Dassault Systemes>DraftSight <Top> <Unit 1-1>

1-1.2 Creating a New Drawing Once the program is launched, DraftSight automatically begins a session using a default template drawing.

To create a drawing using a saved template, there are several ways to do this:

1. Select File>New from the Main Menu Or

2. Select the ‘New’ icon Or

3. Type ‘New’ at the command prompt. Or

4. Type ‘Ctrl+N’ at the command prompt.

5. Select the appropriate template file and click ‘Open’

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1-1.3 Introducing Text and Graphics Screens The graphical screen is comprised of a number of components.

Main Menu: Pull-down menus of thematically related commands are arranged in the Main Menu.

Toolbars: You can drag and drop toolbars to convenient locations in the application window. You can also dock them below the Main Menu or at the left and right margins of the application desktop.

To display or hide toolbars:

1. Right-click the menu bar or a docked toolbar to display the shortcut menu. 2. Select Toolbars... and activate or deactivate toolbars in the Specify Toolbars dialog box.

Options Toolbar: The Options toolbar displays context sensitive options you can select when executing a command. It displays only those options that are available at the current prompt.

For example, if you enter the Zoom command, the Options toolbar shows Bounds, Center, Dynamic, Fit and Previous.

To display the Options toolbar:

1. Right-click the menu bar or a docked toolbar to display the shortcut menu. 2. Select Options Toolbar and activate or deactivate the Options Toolbar.

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Shortcut Menus: Right-clicking displays a shortcut menu (context menu).

If a command is active, the shortcut menu displays:

• Enter: Confirms default options of the current command or ends entity selection • Cancel: Cancel command execution • ESnap Overrides: Lets you select entity snap options and coordinate input methods • Pan and Zoom • Undo

If no command is active, the context menu displays commonly used commands:

• Repeat previous command • Cut, Copy, Copy with Base Point, and Paste • Undo and Redo • Pan and Zoom • Options (general settings) • Drafting Options

Graphics Area: The graphics area is the part of the application where you create and modify drawing entities. You can open multiple drawings simultaneously in the graphics area. Each drawing and view is in its own window. The individual windows can be tiled, cascaded, or enlarged to fill the graphics area.

When the pointer is inside the drawing area, it appears as crosshairs.

If more than one window is open, only one is the active window.

To make a window active:

• Click in any part of the window or click Window and click the file you want to activate.

Palettes: Palettes are areas on the left or right side of the drawing window that manage drawing entities.

The palettes include the:

• Properties Palette. Allows you to view and change drawing entity properties. • References Palette. Lists and manages drawings and images that are referenced in your

drawing. • Lighting Palette. Lists and controls the lights inserted into the drawing to create realistic

renderings.

You can display or hide the palettes.

Usually palettes are docked to the left or right side of the drawing window.

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You can make a floating palette by clicking and holding the left mouse button (or double-clicking) on the palette caption and dragging it to a new position.

To dock a floating palette, either double-click the caption or drag it to the left or right margin of the drawing area, and release the mouse button.

To save space in the drawing area, you can also overlap palettes in one location (at the left or right margin). Activate the palette you need by clicking the tab at the bottom of the palette area.

Command Window: The command window lets you:

• Issue commands at the command prompt. • Specify points and values, and select entities. • Confirm the selection or input steps. • Receive messages, indications, or warnings.

You can view a transcript of the commands entered on the command window so you can read or reconstruct your working steps, including all keyboard inputs.

Press F2 to display the command history in a separate window. Click F2 again to close it.

Status Bar: The status bar is located at the bottom of the application window.

It is divided into three areas: tooltips, drafting settings, and coordinate display.

• The left side of the status bar displays tooltips. If you move the pointer over toolbar icons or menu items, a description of the command or function displays in the tooltips area.

• The middle of the status bar contains buttons to turn on and off drafting options. These are: Snap, Grid, Ortho, Polar (Polar Guides), ESnap (EntitySnaps), ETrack (EntityTracking).

• The right side of the status bar shows the X-, Y-, and Z-coordinates of the pointer.

Model and Sheets Tabs: The desktop contains tabs on the bottom left labeled Model and Sheet1. These display the drawing as a model or as a drawing sheet.

The model is where you draw and construct. A drawing can have only one Model tab.

Sheets are ready-to-print pages that contain entities such as frames and title blocks, overviews and details, and views of the model.

You can work with multiple sheets using the Sheet command to add, copy, delete, name, or rename sheets. To access these options you can also right-click to Sheet tab.

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Coordinate Symbol: The coordinate symbol is a visual reference to the drawing. It is located in the lower left corner of the graphics area. This symbol indicates the position of the axes of the coordinate system and provides orientation of the alignment of the current coordinate system.

You can turn the coordinate symbol on or off with the CsIcon command.

Scroll Bars: Scroll bars are in the right and bottom margins of the drawing window and can be used to pan the view of the drawing.

Instead of using the scroll bars, you can use pan commands.

To turn on and off the scroll bars:

1. Click Tools > Options. 2. Click System Options 3. Expand Display 4. Expand Screen options 5. Select or clear Show scroll bars.

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1-1.4 Understanding the Cursor

The cursor is your mouse pointer in the CAD program. With it, you can issue commands by clicking on icons or menu selections, select entities visually, or specify drawing locations.

The crosshairs indicate the current cursor position in the drawing. They move with any mouse or digitizer pointing device movement. As with the coordinate symbol, the cursor symbol also changes when the drawing view changes from standard plan view (viewed from above) to a three-dimensional (isometric) view.

By pointing and identifying using the cursor, you can determine points, distances, and angles in a running command.

X-axis: Blue, Y-axis: Red Z-axis: Yellow, Y-axis: Red X-axis: Blue, Z-axis: Yellow

Within this program, the cursor color may be set for the X, Y and Z axis.

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1-1.5 Canceling a Command

You can interrupt a command before it finishes.

To interrupt the execution of a command:

1. Press ESC

Or

2. Right-click and click Cancel.

Or

3. Issue another command while one is active.

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1-1.6 Using the Main Menu

Main Menu: The Main Menu is another method of accessing commands and command options. This menu appears at the top of the DraftSight window, beneath the Title Bar. The commands are arrainged into categories similar to most Windows programs.

To use the Main Menu

1. Click the heading name of the desired menu category 2. Click the desired option in the list

• Commands that have a black arrow indicate a fly-out menu that allows more options.

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1-1.7 Using Toolbars

Toolbars: Toolbars contain groups of related command icons for ready access when you are performing related drawing tasks. The Draw toolbar, for instance, contains all commands related to drawing 2D geometrical objects.

If you hold the mouse pointer over an icon momentarily, a tooltip describes the icon.

To display a toolbar, position the cursor on the Main Menu or on a docked toolbar, right-click, and select Toolbars… choose the name of the toolbar. You can drag and drop toolbars to any convenient location as you move about and work on your drawing. You can dock them below the Main Menu or at the left and right margins of the program's desktop.

When finished with a toolbar, position the cursor on the menu bar or on a docked toolbar, right-click, and select Toolbars… choose the name of the toolbar.

One commonly used toolbar, the Standard toolbar, displays beneath the Main Menu. The Standard toolbar contains mainly commands from the File menu, for opening, saving, and printing drawings.

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1-1.8 Using the Status Bar and Command Prompt

Command Window: The command window serves as communication between the program and the user.

The command window lets you

• Specify points and values, select entities, and confirm inputs • Confirm the selection or input steps • Receive messages, indications, or warnings

You can view a transcript of the command entered on the command window, so that you can view or reconstruct your working steps, including all keyboard inputs.

Press F2 to display the command history in a separate window. Click F2 again to close it.

Status Bar: The status bar is located at the bottom of the visible desktop.

It is divided into three areas: tooltips, drafting tool toggles, and current coordinates display.

• Tool tip display. The left hand side of the status bar displays tooltips. If you move the cursor over toolbar icons, a brief description of the corresponding command or function displays in the tooltips area. Descriptions of commands selected from any of the pull-down menu items also display in this area.

• Drafting tools. The middle of the status bar contains the buttons that let you turn on and off drafting tool settings. These are: Snap, Grid, Ortho, Polar (Polar Guides), ESnap (EntitySnap), ETrack (EntityTracking).

• Current coordinate display. The information field at the right of the buttons shows the X-, Y-, and Z-coordinates of the current crosshair (cursor) position.

Tool tip display Drafting Tools Current coordinate display <Top> <Unit 1-1>

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1-1.9 Command Aliases

Command Aliases are shortcuts that can be used with the command prompt. An example of a command alias would be the letter ‘L’ typed into the command prompt would invoke the _LINE command.

To locate the default aliases or to add new ones:

1. Click Tools>Options 2. Click User Preferences tab and 3. Expand Aliases.

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1-1.10 Using the Mouse

The mouse: Use the mouse, or pointing device to select the commands or options. The mouse is programmable.

To access the options:

1. Click Tools>Options 2. Click User Preferences 3. Expand Mouse Options.

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Options:

• Reverse the zoom wheel direction • Enable Click and drag • Edit by double-clicking • Display shortcut menus by right clicking

Fast Enter Behavior:

• Enable Enter on fast right-click

o Fast click time

Currently processing other command:

• Right-clicking when a command is in progress

o Displays the shortcut menu o Displays the shortcut menu only if command options are available o Is the same as pressing Enter

Selected Entities:

• Right-clicking when entities are selected

o Displays the shortcut menu o Repeats the last command

Unselected Entities:

• Right-clicking when entities are not selected:

o Displays the shortcut menu o Repeats the last command

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1-1.11 Understanding Undo and Redo

Undo: The UNDO command reverses previous operations and lets you control undo operations.

The steps made during the current drawing session are recorded in an "undo list." The steps in this list can be withdrawn by using undo sequentially, where each undo removes the previous step. The undo list is kept only with the current session. You can repeat the UNDO command until you have canceled all working steps stored in the undo list (indicated by the Nothing to undo message).

Canceling the last work step (the first step appearing in the undo list) is the normal mode of the command.

To use the UNDO command:

1. Type UNDO at the command prompt. 2. Type the number of steps to undo, or type an option:

Auto: Prompts you to turn on or off undo auto mode. When undo auto mode is on, all actions of a single command are grouped as if they were one action that can be undone with a single U command. Control: Allows access to these options for controlling the undo process:

• All: Indicates that all working steps are recorded for the UNDO function. • None: Indicates that no steps are registered in the undo list. The U and the UNDO

command have no further effect. Setting this option also deletes the current undo list. • One: Fixes the number of the steps you can cancel at the value 1. Only the last working

step is registered in the undo list. • Combine: Determines whether multiple, consecutive zoom and pan commands are

combined as a single action for undo and redo operations.

BEgin: Lets you group steps. You can cancel grouped steps with a single undo. Use the Begin option to define the beginning of a group of steps. End: Lets you group steps. Use the End option to define the end of a group of steps. Mark: Lets you mark the listed steps of a task and cancel all unmarked steps in one operation. The Mark option defines the current state of the drawing as a state that can then be restored by using the Back option. Back: Lets you mark the listed steps of a task and cancel all unmarked steps in one operation. The Back option restores the task to the previously marked state.

Redo: The REDO command reverses the last undo. To access the REDO command, type REDO

at the command prompt or select the REDO Icon.

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1-1.12 Getting Help

Use the Help command or F1 to view online help. Use the tabs within the Help window to search for keywords and manage your favorite Help items.

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Unit 1-2 Introducing Commands

1-2.1 OPENING EXISTING DRAWINGS

1-2.2 CREATING A NEW DRAWING TEMPLATE

1-2.3 SETTING THE UNITS FORMAT

1-2.4 SETTING THE DRAWING BOUNDS

1-2.5 SETTING THE GRID AND SNAP

1-2.6 SAVING DRAWINGS

1-2.7 TAKING FILE SAFTEY PRECAUTIONS

1-2.8 EXITING DRAFTSIGHT

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1-2.1 Opening Existing Drawings To open a drawing:

1. Click File > Open (type OPEN) or click 2. Use the Look in drop-down menu of the Open dialog box to navigate to your drawing. 3. Select from the Files of type drop-down menu and click a file.

You can filter files of type .dwg, .dxf, .dwt, or view all files. The Preview window presents a thumbnail of the selected drawing, although not all file formats provide previews.

4. Click Open to load the drawing or click the arrow button and select Open Read-Only to open the file without modifying it. If you try to save a read-only file with changes, an error message prompts you to save the file under another name. <Top> <Unit 1-2>

1-2.2 Creating a New Drawing Template

You can create drawings using predefined templates. Templates act as a basis for your finished work and set up the required drawing environment. Using drawing templates saves time because you can reuse the elements and settings of an already existing drawing.

• Templates are useful for drawing elements such as logos, title blocks, frames, boundaries, rulers, guidelines, and views.

• Every drawing requires specific settings for units, snap and grid, and drawing bounds. In templates, you determine these settings according to specific requirements.

• Use templates to set up dimensioning styles and load line styles and text styles that you frequently use.

• Set local settings that are loaded with the template to standardize drafting and editing defaults.

• Create layers in the template to group drawing entities and assign them colors, line styles, and line weights.

Creating templates with these elements and parameters ensures that new drawings follow the standards of your company, organization, or industry.

To set up your drawing environment you can apply unit, drawing bounds, grid, and snap settings. These settings can be stored in your template drawings.

To save the template:

1. Click File>Save As… 2. Complete the File name field 3. Select Drawing Template (.dwt) from the Save as type drop-down menu. 4. Click Save.

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1-2.3 Setting the Units Format

Drawing units

When you create a drawing, decide what units to use. You can set one drawing unit to represent one millimeter, one centimeter, one meter, one inch, etc.

Linear and angular units

You can set the format for entering and displaying linear and angular units. You can also set the accuracy level by specifying the number of decimal places.

Linear units can have formats such as: Decimal Units, Architectural Inch and Feet format, Engineering Inch and Feet format, Fractional Units, and Scientific Exponential Notation. Angular units can have formats such as Decimal Degrees, Degrees/Minutes/Seconds, Grads, Radians, or Surveyors Unit System.

To adjust the unit formats:

1. Click Tools > Options or Click Format>Unit System.. (type UnitSystem) 2. Click Drawing Settings . 3. Expand Unit System. 4. Set options. 5. Click OK.

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1-2.4 Setting the Drawing Bounds

Use the DrawingBounds command to define the extent of the grid display and restrict the drawing area. Drawing bounds can be helpful for printing and plotting; if you set your drawing area so that it scales directly to the standard drawing sheet, you need only specify printing by drawing boundaries to produce a plot of your full drawing, regardless of the current display in the drawing window.

To set drawing boundaries:

1. Select Format > Drawing Boundaries (or type DrawingBounds). 2. Enter a point representing the lower left limit of the drawing area (0,0 by default). 3. Enter a point representing the upper right limit of the drawing area (12,9 by default).

To enforce bounds checking:

1. Select Format > Drawing Boundaries (or type DrawingBounds). 2. Type on to enforce bounds checking by preventing points outside of the drawing bounds.

To disable bounds checking:

1. Select Format > Drawing Boundaries (or type DrawingBounds). 2. Type off.

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1-2.5 Setting the Grid and Snap

Grid

The grid is a pattern of evenly spaced dots that serve as a visual distance reference. The grid is not part of the drawing file and does not appear in the printed output.

To set up the grid display:

1. Type Grid at the command prompt. 2. To turn the grid on, type ON.

The grid displays using the current grid spacing. Type OFf to turn off the grid. 3. Type a spacing value or specify options:

• Drawing Bounds: Displays the grid beyond the area determined by the drawing bounds. Specify the Yes option to display the grid beyond the drawing bounds.

• Match Snap: Sets the grid interval to the current snap interval. • Off: Turns the grid off. • On: Turns the grid on using the current grid spacing. • Spacing: Lets you set the horizontal and vertical spacing.

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Snap

Snap creates a set of invisible magnetic points that force the pointer to move in even increments. Snap constrains the points you can choose with the pointer to the snap grid you define.

The snap grid is an invisible grid in the drawing area. With snap activated, the pointer selects only points positioned directly on the snap grid. When you point to the drawing, start points, endpoints, center points, and other specific points lie exactly on points of the snap grid.

Use the Snap command to determine the distance between snap points. The snap grid follows the axes of the current coordinate system.

You can also use an isometric style of snap. Use isometric snap to create two-dimensional isometric drawings representing three-dimensional entities.

To set snap:

1. Type Snap at the command prompt. 2. To specify snap spacing, type a positive number or select two points that reflect the snap spacing.

Typically, the snap grid coincides with the grid display defined by the Grid command. Another method is to set the snap grid to a partial fraction of the grid display.

3. To turn snap on or off, specify the On or Off options. 4. Set the X and Y spacing of the snap grid by specifying the Spacing option and specifying values for

horizontal and vertical spacing. 5. Specify the Grid style option and specify:

• Isometric: Sets up an isometric snap grid aligned along lines 30, 90, and 150 degrees from the horizontal axis. Specify vertical spacing for an isometric snap grid when prompted. Unlike rectangular snap, isometric snap cannot have different Spacing values. Use the IsometricGrid command to determine the active isometric plane to draw on (left, top, or right).

• Rectangular: Sets up an orthogonal snap grid aligned parallel to the X- and Y-axes of the current coordinate system.

2. Specify the Orientation option to set the type of snap and specify: • Grid: Toggles to standard snap. • Radial: The radial snap grid aligns along polar angle increments. Specify the radial snap

spacing.

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1-2.6 Saving Drawings To Save a drawing in the active window:

1. Select File >Save (type Save), or click . The drawing is saved under the name, drawing format, and location specified when it was opened. If the drawing is unnamed, the Save As dialog box opens so that you can set the name, folder, and file type. By default, the drawing is named NONAME_n.dwg.

2. Complete the File name field and ensure that the Save in field is the folder in which to save the drawing. <Top> <Unit 1-2>

1-2.7 Taking File Safety Precautions

To protect your drawing files, enable automatic save and backup options.

To set automatic save and backup options:

1. Click Tools > Options (or type Options). 2. In the Options dialog box, click System Options . 3. Expand Auto-Save & Backup > Automatic Save File Location. 4. Specify the folder to write auto-save and backup files to. 5. Expand Auto-Save/backups, and:

a. Specify whether to Enable Auto-Save b. Set the time in minutes to save the drawing automatically. c. Specify whether to Save backup at each Save. d. Specify whether to Use Original Format.

6. Click OK.

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1-2.8 Exiting DRAFTSIGHT

Be sure to end every working session safely by executing the EXIT command.

To exit:

• Select File >Exit (or type Exit at the command prompt, or press Alt + F4 or Ctrl + Q). If the drawing is unnamed, the Save As dialog box opens so that you can set the name, folder, and file type. After saving the open drawings, the current working session ends.

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Unit 1-3 Using Draw Commands

1-3.1 LEARNING THE LINE COMMAND

1-3.2 UNDERSTANDING THE CARTESIAN COORDINATE SYSTEM

1-3.3 USING ABSOLUTE COORDINATES

1-3.4 USING RELATIVE COORDINATES

1-3.5 USING POLAR COORDINATES

1-3.6 DIRECTION AND DISTANCE

1-3.7 ENTITY SNAP POINTS (ESNAP)

1-3.8 CREATING CIRCLES

1-3.9 USING ARC COMMAND

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1-3.1 Learning the Line Command

Use the Line command to construct lines in a drawing.

To construct a line or a series of connected lines in a drawing:

1. Click Draw > Line (type Line) or select 2. Click a point in the drawing area to start a line segment. 3. Click the segment endpoint. 4. Click another point to define the next segment or press Enter to finish the drawing.

Note: Each segment in a series of connected lines is a separate entity. You can also use the Line command to append lines to existing lines or arcs.

To undo a line segment:

• Press Ctrl + Z or type Undo.

To create a segment from the last point to the first point (minimum of 3 points must be specified):

• Type Close.

To append a line segment to an existing line or arc:

1. Select Draw > Line (or type Line) or select 2. Press Enter.

The appended continuation line attaches to the end of the last line or arc that you drew. 3. Click a point to define the appended line segment and press Enter.

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1-3.2 Understanding the Cartesian Coordinate System When a file is open using DRAFTSIGHT, an absolute coordinate system is established. This is based

on an X,Y,Z system. Although DRAFTSIGHT is primarily a 2D CAD system, the third, or Z, plane is also established. The entire file is based on the coordinate system.

The most basic command is Line. There are a number of methods used to input the coordinates of a line. <Top> <Unit 1-3>

1-3.3 Using Absolute Coordinates

DRAFTSIGHT uses the Cartesian System to specify a position in the absolute X, Y, and (if needed) Z axes. To locate a point from the X-0, Y-0, and Z-0 (0,0,0) using the Absolute Coordinate system, type the X-value, Y-value, and, if needed, the Z-value separated by commas (with no spaces). Example:

If you type 2,6 for a position, DRAFTSIGHT will locate point 2 units along the X-axis (east) and 6 units along the Y-axis (north).

If you type -6,2 for a position, DRAFTSIGHT will locate a point -6 units along the X-axis (west) and 2

units along the Y-axis (north) If you type -3,-5 for a position, DRAFTSIGHT will locate a point -3 units along the X-axis (west) and -

5 units along the Y-axis (south). Note: If only two numbers are specified, Z is set to 0.

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Using absolute coordinates a line from (-4,-4) to (8,4) will produce the following result:

Coordinates Exercise Absolute

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1-3.4 Using Relative Coordinates In DRAFTSIGHT, it is also possible to enter relative coordinates. This is used to specify a location

that is relative to the current position. In this case the character “@” is used in the text string. An example: @-6,4 this would mean that the specified point is -6 units in the X-axis, and 4 units in the Y-axis from the last point specified.

Coordinates Exercise Relative

Exercise: Using the Absolute Coordinate method, construct the shape show above. Note: Units are in INCHES

Solution:

:Line <enter> Specify start point>>2,0 Specify next point>>3,0 Specify next point>>3,1 Specify next point>>5,1 Specify next point>>5,0 Specify next point>>6,0 Specify next point>>8,2 Specify next point>>8,3 Specify next point>>6,5 Specify next point>>5,5 Specify next point>>5,4 Specify next point>>3,4 Specify next point>>3,5 Specify next point>>2,5 Specify next point>>0,3 Specify next point>>0,2 Specify next point>>C

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Exercise: Using the Relative Coordinate method, construct the shape show above. Note: Units are in INCHES

Solution:

:Line <Enter> Specify start point>>2,0 Specify next point>>@1,0 Specify next point>>@0,1 Specify next point>>@2,0 Specify next point>>@0,-1 Specify next point>>@1,0 Specify next point>>@2,2 Specify next point>>@0,1 Specify next point>>@-2,2 Specify next point>>@-1,0 Specify next point>>@0,-1 Specify next point>>@-2,0 Specify next point>>@0,1 Specify next point>>@-1,0 Specify next point>>@-2,-2 Specify next point>>@0,-1 Specify next point>>C

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1-3.5 Using Polar Coordinates In DRAFTSIGHT, it is also possible to enter polar coordinates. This is used to specify a location that

is at an angle relative to the current position. In this case the character “@” is followed by the length of the segment, followed by the ’<’ character, followed by the angle. An example: @5<45. This would mean that the specified line segment is 5 units long an angle of 45 degrees from the last point specified.

Note: The angle is absolute. Refer to the following chart to determine the absolute angles for line

segments that are to be drawn at a 45 degree angle. Tip: Use negative angles when appropriate (e.g. -90)

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Coordinates Exercise Polar

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Exercise: Using the of Polar Coordinate method, construct the shape shown above. Note: Units are in INCHES

Solution:

:Line <Enter> Specify start point>>2,0 Specify next point>>@1<0 Specify next point>>@1<90 Specify next point>>@2<0 Specify next point>>@1<-90 Specify next point>>@1<0 Specify next point>>@2.83<45 Specify next point>>@1<90 Specify next point>>@2.83<135 Specify next point>>@1<180 Specify next point>>@1<-90 Specify next point>>@2<180 Specify next point>>@1<90 Specify next point>>@1<180 Specify next point>>@2.83<225 Specify next point>>@1<-90 Specify next point>>C

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1-3.6 Direction and Distance In DRAFTSIGHT, it is also possible to enter Direction and Distance. This is used to specify the length

of a line segment in a specific direction. This command is usually combined with the ‘ORTHO’ option set to ‘on’. With ‘ORTHO’ set to ‘on’, line segments are free to move in only horizontal of vertical direction in free form (it is possible to ‘force’ the line to a point that is other than horizontal or vertical. An example: With ‘ORTHO’ on, start a line segment. Move the cursor to the left and input a value of 6. It is possible to continue with this method and also to turn ‘ORTHO’ off while in the line command.

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Direction and Distance Exercise

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Exercise: Using the Distance and Direction method, construct the shape shown above. Note: Units are in INCHES

Solution:

Turn Ortho on.

:Line <Enter> Specify start point>>specify screen position Click Specify next point>>move cursor to the right and type 2 Specify next point>> move cursor up and type 1 Specify next point>> move cursor to the right and type 4 Specify next point>> move cursor down and type 1 Specify next point>> move cursor to the right and type 2 Specify next point>> move cursor up and type 5 Specify next point>> move cursor to the left and type 2 Specify next point>> move cursor down and type 1 Specify next point>> move cursor to the left and type 4 Specify next point>> move cursor up and type 1 Specify next point>> move cursor to the left and type 2 Specify next point>>C

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1-3.7 Entity Snap Points (ESnap)

Use entity snap to detect and snap to geometrically significant points on drawing entities, for example, endpoints, intersections, and center points. Snapping to a significant point provides an exact position for drawing and editing commands.

The ESNAP command opens the Pointer Control>EntitySnaps tab of the Drafting Options dialog box so that you can set entity snap.

Entity Snap Points Example

<Top> <Unit 1-3>

Exercise: Create the shape above. Be sure that the Endpoint and Midpoint ESnap options are set.

Turn Ortho off

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1-3.8 Creating Circles

You can use one of several methods to create circles of any size.

To construct a circle from its center point and radius:

1. Select Draw > Circle > Center, Radius (type Circle or C) or click 2. Click the graphics area to define the center point of the circle. 3. Click the graphics area to define the circle radius, or enter the radius at the command prompt

(or type in the value of the radius).

To construct a circle from its center point and diameter:

1. Select Draw > Circle > Center, Diameter 2. Click the graphics area to define the center point of the circle. 3. Click the graphics area to define the circle diameter, or enter the diameter at the command

prompt.

Or

1. Type Circle or C. 2. Type D at the command prompt 3. Click the graphics area to define the center point of the circle. 4. Type the value of the diameter at the command prompt.

To construct a circle from three points:

1. Select Draw > Circle > 3 Points. 2. Type C at the command prompt. 3. Select three points in the graphics area that define points on the circle.

Or

1. Type Circle or C 2. Type 3 at the command prompt. 3. Select three points in the graphics area that define points on the circle.

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To construct a circle from two points along the diameter:

1. Select Draw > Circle > 2 Points. 2. Select two points in the graphics area that define the circle diameter.

Or

1. Type Circle or C 2. Type 2 at the command prompt. 3. Select two points in the graphics area that define points on the circle.

To construct a circle from two tangent entities and the radius:

1. Select Draw > Circle > Tangent, Tangent, Radius. 2. Select a point on each of two linear entities that define lines tangent to the circle in the

graphics area. 3. Click a point in the graphics area to define the radius, or enter the radius at the command

prompt.

Or

1. Type Circle or C 2. Type T at the command prompt. 3. Select a point on each of two linear entities that define lines tangent to the circle in the

graphics area. 4. Click a point in the graphics area to define the radius, or enter the radius at the command

prompt.

<Top> <Unit 1-3>

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To construct a circle that is tangent to three lines:

1. Select Draw > Circle > Tangent, Tangent, Tangent. 2. Select a point in the graphics area on each of three linear entities that define lines tangent to

the circle.

Or

1. Type Circle or C 2. Type TTT at the command prompt. 3. Select a point in the graphics area on each of three linear entities that define lines tangent to

the circle.

Tip: This option is useful when inscribing the circle within a regular polygon.

<Top> <Unit 1-3>

1-3.9 Using Arc Command

You can construct arcs of any length or radius. You can also append arcs to other line, polyline, or arc entities. All arcs are drawn from the start point in the positive horizontal direction.

To construct an arc from three points:

1. Select Draw > Arc > 3 Points (or enter Arc at the command prompt). 2. Click the graphics area to define the start point of the arc. 3. Click the endpoint to define the arc.

To construct an arc from its center point:

1. Select Draw > Arc and select a center-based option:

Start, Center, End to select the start point, the center point, and the endpoint in the graphics area

Start, Center, Angle to select the start point and center point in the graphics area, and then enter the value of the arc tangent angle from its chord

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Start, Center, Length to select the start point and center point in the graphics area, and then enter the value of the arc chord length

2. Select the required points in the graphics area or enter the option values at the command prompt.

To construct an arc from start and endpoint options:

1. Select Draw > Arc and select a start and endpoint-based option:

Start, End, Angle to select the start point and endpoint in the graphics area, and enter the positive or negative value of the angle from the chord to the tangent to the start point

Start, End, Radius to select the start point and endpoint in the graphics area, and then enter the value of the arc tangent angle from its chord

Start, End, Direction to select the start point, endpoint, and tangent direction from the start point in the graphics area

2. Select the required points in the graphics area or enter the option values at the command prompt.

To append an arc to a line, polyline, or arc:

1. Select Draw > Arc > Continue (or type Arc at the command prompt and enter a to append an arc).

2. Select a line, polyline, or arc entity in the graphics area. 3. Select the arc endpoint in the graphics area.

<Top> <Unit 1-3>

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Unit 1-4 Using Delete and Selection Sets

1-4.1 DELETING OBJECTS

1-4.2 LEARNING SELECTION SET OPTIONS

1-4.3 ENTITY SELECTION METHODS

1-4.4 USING THE UNDELETE COMMAND

<Top>

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1-4.1 Deleting Objects

Use the Delete command to remove specified entities while creating, editing, or detailing drawings.

To delete entities:

1. Select Modify > Delete (type Delete) or click 2. At the prompt, specify entities to be erased.

Use any entity selection method. To delete the last entity you created, type last at the prompt.

3. After you specify the entities for deletion, press Enter to erase them. 4. To restore a deleted object, select Edit > Undo or type Undelete at the command prompt.

<Top> <Unit 1-4>

1-4.2 Learning Selection Set Options

For many commands, especially the commands for modifying and detailing entities, you need to select the drawing entities.

To select entities, you do not enter a separate command. Instead, you use selection tools with the modifying command.

To select entities:

1. Enter a command requiring selected entities. The following prompt displays at the command window area:

Specify entities»

2. To view all options for entity selection, enter ? at the command prompt:

Specify entities» ? Specify a point or Window, Last, Crossing, BOX, ALL, Fence, WPolygon, CPolygon, Group, Add, Remove, Multiple, Previous, Undo, AUto, SIngle Specify entities»

3. Click entities to add to the selection list. During selection, a small box, the pickbox or entity selection target replaces the crosshairs as the pointer. Selected entities are highlighted unless the HIGHLIGHT system variable is turned off. All entities you select are added to a Selection Set. To fine-tune entity selection, see Entity Selection Methods.

4. Continue adding and removing entities from the selection list by changing the selection mode to Adding entities or Removing entities as necessary.

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5. To remove previously selected entities from the selection set, press and hold the Shift key. 6. Once you have marked all desired entities, finish the selection by pressing Enter.

The current command resumes.

<Top> <Unit 1-4>

1-4.3 Entity Selection Methods

Use the following methods to select entities by entering the specified option (or its abbreviation) at the command window when prompted to select entities.

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<Top> <Unit 1-4>

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1-4.4 Using the Undelete Command

Use the Undelete command, like the U (undo) command, to restore entities that have been deleted by mistake. Use Undelete also to restore the source entities after creating a block using the MakeBlock command.

Note: You cannot restore entities on a layer that has been removed by the Clean command.

To restore deleted entities:

1. Type Undelete at the command prompt. 2. Repeat the Undelete operation as needed.

<Top> <Unit 1-4>

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Unit 1-5 Understanding Basic Display Commands

1-5.1 USING ZOOM

1-5.2 LEARNING TO PAN

1-5.3 USING REBUILD

<Top>

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1-5.1 Using Zoom

The Zoom command changes the drawing display scale. The command has many options:

• Dynamic: Allows you to zoom in and out in one operation (default)

With Dynamic Zoom, you can zoom in and out of the current drawing window at real time.

To use Dynamic Zoom:

1. Right-click and select Zoom, click Zoom Dynamic (Zoom toolbar),

or View > Zoom > Dynamic.

The pointer changes to .

2. Click and drag the pointer up or down:

• To zoom in, drag up. • To zoom out, drag down.

To exit Dynamic Zoom:

• Press Enter or Esc. - or -

• Right-click and select Exit.

Tip: You can use Dynamic Zoom transparently.

• Center: Lets you specify a center point for the new view and a magnification value or height

Zoom Center lets you specify a center point for the new view and a magnification value or height.

To use Zoom Center:

1. Click View > Zoom > Center. 2. Click or type a:

a. center point. b. magnification or height. A smaller value increases the magnification. A larger value

decreases the magnification.

Tip: Press Enter to use the default values to re-center the drawing without changing the display scale.

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Zoom Factor lets you zoom the display by a scale factor. This is helpful when working with sheets or when plotting or printing the drawing.

To use Zoom Factor:

1. Select View > Zoom > Factor (or type ZoomFactor). 2. Type a number to specify the scale factor. If you type a number:

a. Without an x or xp extension, the zoom is relative to the drawing extents. A scale factor of:

1 shows the entire drawing. 2, shows entities twice as large. 0.5., shows entities half as large.

b. Followed by x, the scale is relative to the current view. c. Followed by xp, the scale is relative to the sheet's units. For instance, a value of .5xp

displays the model area at half the scale of the sheet units. Use this to specify the magnification for each view on the sheet.

3. Press Enter.

Zoom Previous allows you to undo the last zoom operation. You can restore up to ten previous displays.

To zoom to a previous display:

• Select View > Zoom > Previous (or type ZoomBack, or Zoom Previous).

Zoom Selected calculates the boundary of the area that contains the specified entities and zooms in or out so the entities are visible on screen.

To zoom to the extents of selected entities:

1. Select View > Zoom > Selected. 2. Select entities to zoom into. 3. Press Enter.

Zoom Window lets you show a selected part of a drawing in the largest possible scale.

To use Zoom Window:

1. Select View > Zoom > Window (or type ZoomWindow). 2. Click in the drawing area to set the upper left corner of the window. 3. Click in the drawing area to set the lower right corner of the window.

The center of the window becomes the center of the display and the area inside the specified window enlarges to fit the display.

Zoom Bounds displays the entire drawing even if only a portion of the drawing has entities.

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Zoom Bounds zooms to the current bounds of the drawing if no entities extend beyond these bounds. If entities extend beyond the defined bounds, they are included in the calculation of the boundaries in which to zoom.

Using Zoom Bounds in a 3D view is the same as using Zoom Fit.

To use Zoom Bounds:

• Click View > Zoom > Bounds

Note: Zoom Bounds cannot be used transparently because it always rebuilds the drawing.

Zoom Fit displays the drawing with all its elements as large as possible on the screen.

Unlike Zoom Bounds, Zoom Fit ignores drawing bounds.

Zoom Fit includes entities on layers that are turned off but does not include those on frozen layers. Points from deleted or modified elements that are still saved in the drawing can influence the results. These points are deleted when a drawing rebuilds. Therefore, before using Zoom Fit, you should execute the Rebuild command.

To use Zoom Fit:

1. Click View > Rebuild (or type Rebuild). 2. Click View > Zoom > Fit (or type ZoomFit).

<Top> <Unit 1-5>

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1-5.2 Learning to Pan

Panning moves the drawing display without changing the magnification.

To pan the drawing display:

1. Right-click and select Pan.

The pointer changes to .

2. Place the pointer anywhere in the drawing. 3. Hold down the left mouse button and drag in the direction you want the drawing to move.

To exit pan mode:

• Press Enter, or Esc, or the spacebar. - or -

• Release the left mouse button, right-click and click Exit.

Tip: You can use Dynamic Pan transparently.

<Top> <Unit 1-5>

1-5.3 Using Rebuild

The Rebuild command rebuilds the current drawing.

1. Click View > Rebuild (or type Rebuild).

Rebuilding a drawing:

• Re-computes and re-indexes the drawing to optimize performance for displaying and selecting drawing entities.

• Recalculates the screen coordinates for all entities in the current view. • Refreshes the current view.

Using Rebuildall

The RebuildAll command rebuilds the current drawing and refreshes all tiled views.

1. Click View > Rebuild Allall (or type Rebuild).

Rebuilding a drawing:

• Re-computes and re-indexes the drawing to optimize performance for displaying and selecting drawing entities.

• Recalculates the screen coordinates for all entities in all tiled views. • Refreshes all tiled views.

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Unit 1-6 Entity Snapping

1-6.1 RUNNING ENTITY SNAPS

1-6.2 UNDERSTANDING CASE BY CASE (TEMPORARY MODE)

1-6.3 ESNAP SETTINGS

<Top>

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1-6.1 Running Entity Snaps

Use Entity Snaps (ESnaps) to detect and snap to geometrically significant points on drawing entities, for example, endpoints, intersections, and center points. Snapping to a significant point provides an exact position for drawing and editing commands.

To set EntitySnaps:

1. Click Tools > Drafting Options. 2. Expand Drafting Options > Pointer Control > EntitySnaps and select Enable

EntitySnaps (ESnaps). 3. In the Geometry ESnaps and Reference ESnaps areas, select one or more entity snap

modes so that you do not need to invoke them as you draw. You can click Select All or Clear All to turn on or off all ESnaps.

You specify ESnap modes to pinpoint entity parts to attract using snap. For example, you might want to snap to intersections between entities. You can apply ESnap modes permanently or for a single operation.

ESnap modes are not universally applicable. For instance, you cannot define the endpoint of a circle. Similarly, a line segment has no central point. On the other hand, a drawing entity might contain several points that match the ESnap mode criteria. A line entity or an arc, for instance, always has two ending points. In those cases, the ESnap function identifies the nearest of the possible points. Always place the pointer as near as possible to the desired point.

The pointer snaps to a geometrically significant point depending on:

• The type of the drawing entity • The selected entity snap mode • The specific point on the selected entity

The illustration below shows the connection between the point selected and the point snapped:

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To set entity snaps permanently:

1. Select Tools > Options (or type EntitySnap or Options at the command prompt). The EntitySnap command brings up the Entity Snaps tab of the Drafting Options dialog.

2. Select Enable EntitySnap and select the ESnap type. The selected mode is permanently activated. You can suspend entity snap by typing non when prompted for a point selection.

To use entity snap when prompted for point selection:

1. Call a command or a function that requires a point selection. 2. At the prompt, select Tools > Drafting Options (or use the Entity Snap toolbar, select Snap

Overrides from the pointer context-sensitive menu, type an entity snap mode abbrevation, or type EntitySnap). The EntitySnap command brings up the Inferencing tab of the Drafting Options dialog.

3. Select Enable inferencing and select an Inference type. The pointer becomes a small box. You are prompted for the point.

4. Select the entity with the pointer. The pointer snaps according to the entity snap mode you selected.

<Top> <Unit 1-6>

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1-6.2 Understanding Case by Case (Temporary Mode)

Example Command Sequence

To apply the EntitySnap function 'end':

: LINE First point of Line: <point to graphics area > Next point of Line: end of: <point to drawing entity> Next point of Line:

This will force the entity to an endpoint regardless of any other settings. This function is available for all of the EntitySnap options.

<Top> <Unit 1-6>

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1-6.3 Esnap Settings

Geometric Esnaps

• NEArest Selects the nearest point of an entity

• END Selects the end of a line closest to the cursor.

• MIDpoint Selects the midpoint of an entity.

• CENter Selects the center of an arc. Cursor must be on the arc to locate the center.

• QUAdrant Selects a position on an arc at 0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees

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• NODe Snaps to a point object, dimension definition point or dimension text

• INSert

Selects the insertion point of an attribute, block, shape or text.

Reference Esnaps

• EXTension Snaps to the phantom extension or an arc or line.

• INTersection Selects the intersection of two entities

• PARallel

Snaps a line that is parallel to a specified line.

• PERpendicular Snaps to a point that is perpendicular to an object

• TANgent Snaps a point that is tangent to an object

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• Virtual Intersection <APPINT> Snaps to the apparent intersection of two objects.

<Top> <Unit 1-6>

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