CHAPTER ONE

WHAT IS AUTOCAD?
Lay language spoken, AutoCAD is a program designed for drawing drawings, for
example in mechanical engineering, civil engineering and surveying. There can be two-
dimensional design drawings in terms of (2D) and three-dimensional view (3D) in the
case (drawing), which lines. There are various programs for these purposes and there
are specialized programs with which you can make 2D drawing and 3D modeling
drawings and the like.
Also set the parameters of UNITS that draw drawing.
FORMAT => UNITS. AutoCAD is used as a measuring
parameter UNITS and set the settings I choose whether
to be millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, etc. ...
In mechanical engineering using millimeters, centimeters
in construction and surveying meters. So this is important
for PLOT (printing on paper) and the SCALE that is placed
at the end. (Or if you want to inch or kilometer ;-)
Working in AutoCAD requires some basic knowledge of
your work, and also good to have prior knowledge base
and knowledge of the plot coordinate system. Fig. 1.1
If you really want to learn to work in AutoCAD 2007 go through this book step by step, do not
skip because you omit something that is important for the final result of your drawings.
I can only note that all depends on you and your creativity. When drawing a drawing of the
same 5 different artists can draw the same drawing with different options, using different
lines and the like. It is impossible to strictly explain how to completely draw a sketch for
example: CONE someone can draw using the commands "CONE" someone using a
combination of CIRCLE-EXTRUDE/Taper Angle.
That's not important, it is important to draw a drawing of what is required and how to reach
the final goal is a matter of your creativity.

COORDINATE SYSTEM in AutoCAD

To work in AutoCAD is necessary to know the Coordinate System.
When we draw a line or any character or point, the start position will be set in relation to the
coordinate system.
Coordinate system understands as a plane that can be in a position if it is a 2D drawing or
more positions when it comes to drawing in 3D.
So we start from starting point in relation to the axis X and Y coordinates with the position we
are in a certain place (more about that below), but remember the word origins, to the
position which is currently located prior to drawing. Each time when we are positioned
somewhere, our starting point is the starting point no matter where in the drawing are. The
position of the origin depends on the draw in the absolute or polar coordinate system
(although we may in the course of combined systems that we want).
Be sure to learn the coordinate system, if not, then it will be almost impossible to design a
more complex 2D drawing about in 3D not to speak of. For 3D drawing, drawing a line in
space must review the toolbar UCS and UCS II, because using them will be positioned at a
starting point, surface, plane and so forth.

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Layout Coordinate System

Fig. 1.2
Short explanation of coordinate system.
Our starting point is always in the direction East and to the first X followed by Y coordinates in
direction North. (x,y).
So our starting point is the central starting point. When the Command line write some
coordinates, AutoCAD will be based on this starting point (which is currently on the drawing)
in relation to his position will be the starting point drawing.
Used as a guide to X axis first coordinate and Y axis for the second coordinate (except in
Cartography Geodesy, there are reversed coordinates - replaced, what is the X axis in
mechanical engineering and construction to the Y axis in geodesy). It is also important to note
that the axis X and Y can be so negative compared to the starting point for some sort of
starting point we can enter a drawing and negative coordinates. These negative coordinates
positioned in Quadrant II and III for the X axis, and III and IV quadrant of the Y axis
Example:
If when you start drawing enter coordinate X = 50 then Autocad X axis count by 50 units in
the East direction, depending on the value of Y axis, the result will be in quadrant I or IV, but if
you write X = -50 then AutoCAD count 50 units in the minus i.e. in the direction of West and
again depending on the value of Y axis, the result will be in quadrant II or III.
The same is true for the Y axis (Please note the Geodesy is reversed, first write the Y axis and
then X (y,x)
All of this applies to enter angles in Command Line.
"COUNTER CLOCKWISE" and "CLOCKWISE" directions are in the drawing coordinate system.
The engineering and building construction uses direction "Counter Clockwise" and geodesy
"Clockwise"
What does it mean?
Means that when we draw circular arcs, and other elements depending on the direction that
we will set our direction and drawing, the starting point to the end. By default AutoCAD 2007
in this direction is set in the Counter Clockwise direction, and that means the opposite of
clockwise. If you want to change this direction then the text menu, select Format => Units
(Fig. 1.1) and select the option Clockwise. Here is set and other parameters related to the

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units to work in AutoCAD. Or the same parameters can be set via a dialog window in the
STARTUP ADVANCE SETUP window

Fig. 1.3 Fig. 1.4

TYPES OF COORDINATES IN AUTOCAD
Explore this kind of coordinates and consider them good. The pictures to see how the
coordinates are entered in the Command Line.
These coordinates, I will elaborate
later but for now it is important to
understand the scheme and
coordinate their method of
application (under the name of the
coordinates). Course to enter
some of the following commands
to coordinate an important starting
point (starting point where we are,
on the basis of it we will choose
which of these commands
coordinates can be used.)

Fig. 1.5

Fig. 1.6

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