Civil Construction Design

MEM30031A Operate computer-aided design (CAD)

system to produce basic drawing elements

Learner Materials and Assessment Tasks

Table of Contents

About MEM30031A Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system to produce basic drawing
elements ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Confirm purpose, scope, and information and presentation requirements for drawing ...................... 8
Activity 1 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Activity 2 .....................................................................................................................................................................39
Review available information relevant to project and work requirements, and identify and address
further information needs...................................................................................................................................... 41
Activity 3 .....................................................................................................................................................................48
Identify computing equipment and software used in the organisation ...................................................56
Activity 4 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 61
Identify work flow and procedures for work supervision ..............................................................................64
Examine requirements for presentation of drawings ..................................................................................... 71
Activity 5 .....................................................................................................................................................................89
Describe types of CAD software used for detail drafting, their key features and suitability for
producing specific drawing outcomes ...............................................................................................................93
Activity 6 .................................................................................................................................................................... 101
Identify differences in CAD process to generate 2-D drawings and 3-D models, and reasons for
each presentation .................................................................................................................................................. 103
Activity 7 .................................................................................................................................................................... 113
Identify differences in CAD process to generate single and multiple view drawings, and reasons for
each presentation .................................................................................................................................................. 132
Activity 8 ................................................................................................................................................................... 139
Identify CAD software used in the organisation and confirm compatibility with other software
programs and peripheral equipment ................................................................................................................141
Identify software features for linked specifications, catalogues or materials ordering ....................... 150
Activity 9 ................................................................................................................................................................... 195
Open software and navigate organisational filing and library system .................................................... 197
Activity 10................................................................................................................................................................. 200
Identify organisational and software templates and determine uses ...................................................... 201
Activity 11 ................................................................................................................................................................. 203
Identify organisational symbols, codes and standards to be applied in drafting work and how
these are accessed and applied........................................................................................................................ 204
Apply workplace procedures to retrieve and manipulate required information and navigate
computing technology ........................................................................................................................................ 206
Activity 12.................................................................................................................................................................. 210
Set up working environment ............................................................................................................................... 211

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Use CAD functions to produce basic drawing elements ............................................................................ 215
Activity 13................................................................................................................................................................. 229
Activity 14................................................................................................................................................................. 236
Use editing and transfer tools and methods to modify drawing elements .......................................... 262
Apply dimensions, text and symbols to drawing elements ....................................................................... 274
Activity 15................................................................................................................................................................. 283
Import and export files into/out of working space ...................................................................................... 288
Generate different views and perspectives .................................................................................................... 296
Organise presentation of work.......................................................................................................................... 298
Save and file drawing elements according to organisational procedures ............................................ 306
Print drawing elements and evaluate presentation ...................................................................................... 316
Evaluate work and identify areas for improvement .................................................................................... 320
Close applications, perform CAD housekeeping and maintain organisational filing system .......... 324
Activity 16................................................................................................................................................................. 338
ASSESSMENT.......................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Assessment Outcome record ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

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About MEM30031A Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system
to produce basic drawing elements
Unit Descriptor

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to apply functions of computer-
aided design (CAD) software programs that are typically used in the production of detail drawings.

Application of the Unit

This unit is suitable for those working within a CAD or drafting work environment and may be
applied across engineering and manufacturing environments. It covers competent use of a CAD
program to perform basic drawing tasks used in the development of detail drawings. Drawings
may include plans, diagrams, charts, circuits, systems or schematics.

This unit includes using computer equipment and selecting software functions in order to
generate basic drawing elements.

Work is conducted under supervision.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of
publication.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Elements describe the
essential outcomes of a
unit of competency.
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to
demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised
text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and
knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of
performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

Elements and Performance Criteria

1 Confirm drawing 1.1 Confirm purpose, scope, and information and presentation
requirements requirements for drawing

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 1.2 Review available information relevant to project and work
requirements, and identify and address further information
needs
1.3 Identify computing equipment and software used in the
organisation
1.4 Identify work flow and procedures for work supervision
1.5 Examine requirements for presentation of drawings
2 Identify key features of 2.1 Describe types of CAD software used for detail drafting, their
CAD software key features and suitability for producing specific drawing
outcomes
2.2 Describe types of CAD software used for design drafting,
their key features and suitability for producing specific drawing
outcomes
2.3 Identify differences in CAD process to generate 2-D drawings
and 3-D models, and reasons for each presentation
2.4 Identify differences in CAD process to generate single and
multiple view drawings, and reasons for each presentation
2.5 Identify CAD software used in the organisation and confirm
compatibility with other software programs and peripheral
equipment
2.6 Identify software features for linked specifications, catalogues
or materials ordering
3 Access software and set 3.1 Open software and navigate organisational filing and library
up for drawing work system
3.2 Identify organisational and software templates and determine
uses
3.3 Identify organisational symbols, codes and standards to be
applied in drafting work and how these are accessed and
applied
3.4 Apply workplace procedures to retrieve and manipulate
required information and navigate computing technology
3.5 Set up working environment
4 Produce basic drawing 4.1 Use CAD functions to produce basic drawing elements
elements 4.2 Use editing and transfer tools and methods to modify
drawing elements
4.3 Apply dimensions, text and symbols to drawing elements
4.4 Import and export files into/out of working space
4.5 Generate different views and perspectives
4.6 Organise presentation of work
5 Complete CAD operations 5.1 Save and file drawing elements according to organisational
procedures
5.2 Print drawing elements and evaluate presentation
5.3 Evaluate work and identify areas for improvement
5.4 Close applications, perform CAD housekeeping and maintain
organisational filing system

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Required Skills and Knowledge
Required skills
Required skills include:

• literacy skills sufficient to read instructions for drawings work

• using computer technologies and navigating software
• numeracy skills sufficient to interpret technical information and determine scaling and
layout issues
• navigating software to:

• manipulate drawing entities

• modify dimension styles
• create and use layers
• manipulate the drawing origin
• define and utilise symbol libraries
• utilise grids/grid snaps and object snaps
• display views at multiple scales
• add title blocks/frame to layout a drawing for printing
• prepare advanced drawings in plane orthogonal or equivalent
• set up prototype drawings
• define and extract attribute data
• create bills of materials (BOM) utilising attribute data and third-party application software

Required knowledge
Required knowledge includes:

• general knowledge of different approaches to drawing

• awareness of copyright and intellectual property issues and legislation in relation to
drawing
• environmental and occupational health and safety (OHS) issues associated with the tools
and materials used for drawing
• quality assurance procedures
• CAD program capabilities and processes

Evidence Guide
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the
performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment
Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment A person who demonstrates competency in this unit
must be able to use CAD software to produce graphics
commonly used in drafting work.

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Critical aspects for assessment and
evidence required to demonstrate
competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can
competently and consistently perform all elements of the
unit as specified by the criteria, including required
knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency
in new and different situations and contexts.
Specifically the candidate must be able to:
• work within typical site/teamwork structures and
methods
• apply worksite communication procedures
• comply with organisational policies and
procedures, including quality requirements
• participate in work meetings
• comply with quality requirements
• use industry terminology
• apply appropriate safety procedures
• identify drawing work requirements and
determine appropriate software functions and
features
• identify features and uses of CAD software used
in detail and design drafting
• access and use computing equipment and CAD
software functions to produce drawing elements.
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Confirm purpose, scope, and information and presentation requirements for
drawing

Technical drawing and design used to be considered a complex skill that only a select few could
master like surgery or rocket science. Nevertheless, through Computer Aided Design software,
design tasks have become much easier. Computer-Aided Design, (CAD), is the use of computer
programs to create, modify, analyze, or optimize precision drawings and is often referred to as
Computer Aided Design and Drafting, (CADD). By using CAD, people have been able to save
time, energy, and money, consequently increasing the productivity and efficiency of the entire
design process1.

CAD programs are used to make technical drawings with dimensions and details that are
representative of real-world objects such as buildings, cars, airplanes, tools, machines, and ships.
These designs are used in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, fashion, film,
entertainment, construction, planning, and civil works.

CAD (Computer Aided Design) is the use of computer software to design and document a
product’s design process2.

Engineering drawing entails the use of graphical symbols such as points, lines, curves, planes
and shapes. Essentially, it gives detailed description about any component in a graphical form.

CAD stands for Computer Aided Design. CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products.
While it is very versatile, CAD is extensively used in the design of tools and equipment required in
the manufacturing process as well as in the construction domain. CAD enables design engineers
to layout and to develop their work on a computer screen, print and save it for future editing.

When it was introduced first, CAD was not exactly an economic proposition because the machines
at those times were very costly. The increasing computer power in the later part of the twentieth
century, with the arrival of minicomputer and subsequently the microprocessor, has allowed
engineers to use CAD files that are an accurate representation of the dimensions / properties of
the object.

1
Source: 3D Insider, as at https://3dinsider.com/cad-guide/, as on 16th November, 2019.
2
Source: DesignTech CAD Academy, as at https://www.designtechcadacademy.com/knowledge-
base/introduction-to-cad, as on 16th November, 2019.

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The History of CAD

Ivan Sutherland using Sketchpad – History-Computer

The development of CAD programs began as early as 1949 with applications that were used to
analyze and optimize power systems, as well as design circuits using basic geometrical shapes.
However, it was the invention of a program called Sketchpad by Ivan Sutherland in the sixties that
really set the ball rolling for modern CAD technology. He developed the program as part of his
doctoral thesis at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (MIT), to demonstrate the fundamentals
of technical drawing with a computer.

Between the sixties and seventies, the use of CAD was limited to large companies and institutions
such as MIT, General Motors, Lockheed, and IBM mainly because computers were expensive and
very few people had access to them. However, as computers became smaller and more
affordable, people began using them in their homes, offices, and universities leading to a boom in
the number of CAD users all over the world.

Use of CAD

CAD is used to accomplish preliminary design and layouts, design details and calculations,
creating 3-D models, creating and releasing drawings, as well as interfacing with analysis,
marketing, manufacturing, and end-user personnel.

CAD facilitates the manufacturing process by transferring detailed information about a product in
an automated form that can be universally interpreted by trained personnel. It can be used to

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produce either two-dimensional or three-dimensional diagrams. The use of CAD software tools
allow the object to be viewed from any angle, even from the inside looking out. One of the main
advantages of a CAD drawing is that the editing is a fast process as compared to manual method.
Apart from detailed engineering of 2D or 3D models, CAD is widely used from conceptual design
and layout of products to definition of manufacturing of components. CAD reduces design time
by allowing precise simulation rather than build and test physical prototypes. Integrating CAD with
CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) streamlines the product development even more.

CAD is currently widely used for industrial products, animated movies and other applications. A
special printer or plotter is usually required for printing professional design renderings. CAD
programs use either vector-based graphics or raster graphics that show how an object will look.

CAD software enables

• Efficiency in the quality of design

• Increase in the Engineer’s productivity
• Improve record keeping through better documentation and communication

Today, the use of CAD has permeated almost all industries. From aerospace, electronics to
manufacturing, CAD is used in all industry verticals. Since CAD encourages creativity and speeds
up productivity, it is becoming more and more useful as an important tool for visualization before
actually implementing a manufacturing process. That is also one of the reasons CAD training is
gaining more and more importance.

Types of CAD Drawings3

There are a wide variety of uses for CAD software and the types of designs that can be made.
Below are some common designs and drawings that can be made with CAD software.

Floor Plans

Floor plans are scaled diagrams that show the size, placement and shape of rooms and other
objects within a structure using a top down view. Floor plans help to visualize the footprint of a
building, home or other structure. Floor plans are great for laying out objects, like furniture, within
a structure to ensure a proper fit.

3
Source: Smartdraw, as at https://www.smartdraw.com/cad/, as on 16th November, 2019.

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Technical Drawings & Blueprints

A technical drawing is a detailed, scaled plan or drawing of an object. Technical drawings are used
to deliver exact specifications of how something should be made. Technical drawings can include
architectural, mechanical and engineering designs. Blueprints are reproductions of technical
drawings, but the word blueprint is also used to describe any type of plan, such as a floor plan.

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Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams

A piping & instrumentation diagram (P&ID) shows the relationships between piping,
instrumentation and other system components in a physical process flow. For example, a P&ID
can show the types of valves, pumps, tanks and other components within the larger system, and
how they connect to, and interact with, one another.

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HVAC Diagrams

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drawings provide information about the
ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems within a given location. They can include the size
and location of ductwork, connections to control units, as well as the relationship and connections
between various components.

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Site & Plot Plans

Site plans, also known as plot plans, are top down view, scaled drawings showing the proposed
usage and development of a piece of land. Site plans can include the footprint of buildings,
landscaping designs, walkways, parking lots, drainage and water lines, and will show the
placement of all of these items relative to one another.

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Electrical Schematics

Electrical schematics provide an overview of what components are included in an electrical system,
and the relationship between those components. Electrical schematics typically use symbols to
represent the various components and elements within an electrical system. For more granularity
regarding placement of the electrical components, and how wires connect to them and each
other, a wiring diagram would be more useful.

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Wiring Diagrams

Wiring diagrams show the actual connection of wires to each other and to other components in
an electrical system, as well as where the components are physically located within the system.
Unlike electrical schematics, which provide a broad overview of the components in an electrical
system and their relationship to one another, wiring diagrams show where wires actually connect
to one another, and to the other components. They also show where the components will be
located relative to one another.

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Activity 1

What is CAD and what is it used for?

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 Activity 1

Scope Planning4

You always want to know exactly what work has to be done before you start it. You have a
collection of team members, and you need to know exactly what they’re going to do to meet the
project’s objectives. The scope planning process is the very first thing you do to manage your
scope. Project scope planning is concerned with the definition of all the work needed to
successfully meet the project objectives. The whole idea here is that when you start the project,
you need to have a clear picture of all the work that needs to happen on your project, and as the

4
Source: Open Book Publishing, as at https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/chapter/chapter-9-scope-
planning-project-management/, as on 17th November, 2019.

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project progresses, you need to keep that scope up to date and written down in the project’s
scope management plan.

Defining the Scope

You already have a head start on refining the project’s objectives in quantifiable terms, but now
you need to plan further and write down all the intermediate and final deliverables that you and
your team will produce over the course of the project. Deliverables include everything that you
and your team produce for the project (i.e., anything that your project will deliver). The
deliverables for your project include all of the products or services that you and your team are
performing for the client, customer, or sponsor. They include every intermediate document, plan,
schedule, budget, blueprint, and anything else that will be made along the way, including all of
the project management documents you put together. Project deliverables are tangible
outcomes, measurable results, or specific items that must be produced to consider either the
project or the project phase completed. Intermediate deliverables, like the objectives, must be
specific and verifiable.

All deliverables must be described in a sufficient level of detail so that they can be differentiated
from related deliverables. For example:

• A twin engine plane versus a single engine plane

• A red marker versus a green marker
• A daily report versus a weekly report
• A departmental solution versus an enterprise solution

One of the project manager’s primary functions is to accurately document the deliverables of the
project and then manage the project so that they are produced according to the agreed-on
criteria. Deliverables are the output of each development phase, described in a quantifiable way.

Project Requirements

After all the deliverables are identified, the project manager needs to document all the
requirements of the project. Requirements describe the characteristics of the final deliverable,
whether it is a product or a service. They describe the required functionality that the final
deliverable must have or specific conditions the final deliverable must meet in order to satisfy the
objectives of the project. A requirement is an objective that must be met. The project’s
requirements, defined in the scope plan, describe what a project is supposed to accomplish and
how the project is supposed to be created and implemented. Requirements answer the following
questions regarding the as-is and to-be states of the business: who, what, where, when, how
much, and how does a business process work?

Requirements may include attributes like dimensions, ease of use, colour, specific ingredients, and
so on. If we go back to the example of the company producing holiday eggnog, one of the major
deliverables is the cartons that hold the eggnog. The requirements for that deliverable may
include carton design, photographs that will appear on the carton, colour choices, etc.

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Requirements specify what the final project deliverable should look like and what it should do.
Requirements must be measurable, testable, related to identified business needs or opportunities,
and defined to a level of detail sufficient for system design. They can be divided into six basic
categories: functional, non-functional, technical, business, user, and regulatory requirements.

Functional Requirements

Functional requirements describe the characteristics of the final deliverable in ordinary non-
technical language. They should be understandable to the customers, and the customers should
play a direct role in their development. Functional requirements are what you want the deliverable
to do.

Vehicle Example

If you were buying vehicles for a business, your functional requirement might be: “The vehicles
should be able to take up to a one ton load from a warehouse to a shop.”

Computer System Example

For a computer system you may define what the system is to do: “The system should store all
details of a customer’s order.”

The important point to note is that what is wanted is specified and not how it will be delivered.

Non-Functional Requirements

Non-functional requirements specify criteria that can be used to judge the final product or service
that your project delivers. They are restrictions or constraints to be placed on the deliverable and
how to build it. Their purpose is to restrict the number of solutions that will meet a set of
requirements. Using the vehicle example, the functional requirement is for a vehicle to take a load
from a warehouse to a shop. Without any constraints, the solutions being offered might result in
anything from a small to a large truck. Non-functional requirements can be split into two types:
performance and development.

To restrict the types of solutions, you might include these performance constraints:

• The purchased trucks should be American-made trucks due to government incentives.

• The load area must be covered.
• The load area must have a height of at least 10 feet.

Similarly, for the computer system example, you might specify values for the generic types of
performance constraints:

• The response time for information is displayed on the screen for the user.
• The number of hours a system should be available.
• The number of records a system should be able to hold.
• The capacity for growth of the system should be built in.

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 • The length of time a record should be held for auditing purposes.

For the customer records example, the constraints might be:

• The system should be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• The system should be able to hold 100,000 customer records initially.
• The system should be able to add 10,000 records a year for 10 years.
• A record should be fully available on the system for at least seven years.

One important point with these examples is that they restrict the number of solution options that
are offered to you by the developer. In addition to the performance constraints, you may include
some development constraints.

There are three general types of non-functional development constraints:

• Time: When a deliverable should be delivered

• Resource: How much money is available to develop the deliverable
• Quality: Any standards that are used to develop the deliverable, development methods,
etc.

Technical Requirements

Technical requirements emerge from the functional requirements to answer the questions: how
will the problem be solved this time and will it be solved technologically and/or procedurally?
They specify how the system needs to be designed and implemented to provide required
functionality and fulfill required operational characteristics.

For example, in a software project, the functional requirements may stipulate that a database
system will be developed to allow access to financial data through a remote terminal. The
corresponding technical requirements would spell out the required data elements, the language in
which the database management system will be written (due to existing knowledge in-house), the
hardware on which the system will run (due to existing infrastructure), telecommunication
protocols that should be used, and so forth.

Business Requirements

Business requirements are the needs of the sponsoring organization, always from a management
perspective. Business requirements are statements of the business rationale for the project. They
are usually expressed in broad outcomes, satisfying the business needs, rather than specific
functions the system must perform. These requirements grow out of the vision for the product
that, in turn, is driven by mission (or business) goals and objectives.

User Requirements

User requirements describe what the users need to do with the system or product. The focus is on
the user experience with the system under all scenarios. These requirements are the input for the
next development phases: user-interface design and system test cases design.

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Regulatory requirements

Regulatory requirements can be internal or external and are usually non-negotiable. They are the
restrictions, licenses, and laws applicable to a product or business that are imposed by the
government.

An Example of Requirements

Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be used to illustrate a wide range of requirements (Figure
9.1). What are some of the physical features of these machines, and what kinds of functions do
they perform for the bank’s customers? Why did banks put these systems in place? What are the
high-level business requirements?

Figure 9.1 Automated Teller Machine.

The following represents one possible example of each type of requirement as they would be
applied to a bank’s external ATM.

• ATM functional requirement: The system will enable the user to select whether or not to
produce a hard-copy transaction receipt before completing a transaction.
• ATM non-functional requirement: All displays will be in white, 14-point Arial text on black
background.
• ATM technical requirement: The ATM system will connect seamlessly to the existing
customer’s database.
• ATM user requirement: The system will complete a standard withdrawal from a personal
account, from login to cash, in less than two minutes.
• ATM business requirement: By providing superior service to our retail customers,
Monumental Bank’s ATM network will allow us to increase associated service fee revenue
by 10% annually on an ongoing basis.
• ATM regulatory requirement: All ATMs will connect to standard utility power sources
within their civic jurisdiction, and be supplied with an uninterrupted power source
approved by the company.

The effective specification of requirements is one of the most challenging undertakings project
managers face. Inadequately specified requirements will guarantee poor project results.

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Documenting requirements is much more than just the process of writing down the requirements
as the user sees them; it should cover not only what decisions have been made, but why they
have been made, as well. Understanding the reasoning that was used to arrive at a decision is
critical in avoiding repetition. For example, the fact that a particular feature has been excluded,
because it is simply not feasible, needs to be recorded. If it is not, then the project risks wasted
work and repetition, when a stakeholder requests the feature be reinstated during development
or testing.

Once the requirements are documented, have the stakeholders sign off on their requirements as a
confirmation of what they desire.

While the project manager is responsible for making certain the requirements are documented, it
does not mean that the project manager performs this task. The project manager enlists the help
of all the stakeholders (business analysts, requirement analysts, business process owners,
customers and other team members) to conduct the discussions, brain-storming, and interviews,
and to document and sign off the requirements. The project manager is responsible only for
enabling the process and facilitating it. If the project manager feels that the quality of the
document is questionable, his or her duty is to stop the development process.

The project manager reviews the requirements, incorporates them into the project documentation
library, and uses them as an input for the project plan.

Software Requirements Fundamentals

This section refers to requirements of “software” because it is concerned with problems to be

addressed by software. A software requirement is a property that must be exhibited by software
developed or adapted to solve a particular problem. The problem may be to automate part of a
task of someone who will use the software, to support the business processes of the organization
that has commissioned the software, to correct shortcomings of existing software, to control a
device, etc. The functioning of users, business processes, and devices is typically complex.
Therefore, the requirements on particular software are typically a complex combination of
requirements from different people at different levels of an organization and from the
environment in which the software will operate.

An essential property of all software requirements is that they be verifiable. It may be difficult or
costly to verify certain software requirements. For example, verification of the throughput
requirement on a call centre may necessitate the development of simulation software. Both the
software requirements and software quality personnel must ensure that the requirements can be
verified within the available resource constraints.

Requirements have other attributes in addition to the behavioural properties that they express.
Common examples include a priority rating to enable trade-offs in the face of finite resources and
a status value to enable project progress to be monitored. Typically, software requirements are
uniquely identified so that they can be monitored over the entire software life cycle.

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Measuring Requirements

As a practical matter, it is typically useful to have some concept of the volume of the requirements
for a particular software product. This number is useful in evaluating the size of a change in
requirements, in estimating the cost of a development or maintenance task, or simply in using it as
the denominator in other measurements (see Table 9.1).

Table 9.1: Measuring Requirements

Property Measure
Speed • Processed transactions/second
• User/Event response time
• Screen refresh time

Size • K Bytes
• Number of RAM chips

Ease of use • Training time

• Number of help frames

Reliability • Mean time to failure

• Probability of unavailability
• Rate of failure occurence
• Availability

Robustness • Time to restart after failure

• Percentage of events causing failure
• Probability of data corruption on
failure

Portability • Percentage of target dependent

statements
• Number of target systems

Scope Inputs

The project manager gathers initial project facts from the project charter. In addition, background
information on the stakeholder’s workplace, existing business model and rules, etc. assist in
creating the vision of the final product/service, and consequently, the project scope (see Figure
9.2).

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Figure 9.2: Scope input-output.

Techniques

Certainly being a seasoned project manager broadens the repertoire of one’s scope planning
techniques. An experienced project manager can draw on past experiences with like projects to
determine the work that is realistically doable, given time and cost constraints, for a current
project. Communication and negotiation skills are a “must-have” as well. Project managers need
to educate stakeholders about the project impacts of some requirements. Adding complexity to a
project may require more staff, time, and/or money. It may also have an impact on project quality.
Some aspects of the project may be unfeasible – stakeholders need to know this so they can
adjust their vision or prepare for future challenges.

Gathering requirements is part of scope definition, and it can be done using one or more of
following techniques:

• Interviews
• Focus groups
• Facilitated groups such as JAD (joint application development)
• Group creativity techniques: brainstorming, nominal groups, delphi, mind map, affinity
diagnostics
• Prototyping
• Observation
• Questions and surveys
• Group decision-making techniques: unanimity, majority, plurality, dictatorship

Requirements Engineering5

Requirements Engineering (RE) is often trivialized as an activity performed by well meaning

analysts before they start doing the real work of specifying a product. In this paper we shall
introduce, at the highest levels, the critical processes and procedures used when executing
effective Requirements Engineering as part of an overall successful project. This is a concise look
into a discipline which, when explored in full, can and does, fill many books. We shall also highlight
how software tools can be leveraged to achieve RE goals that might otherwise be challenging.

5
Source: Inflecta, as at https://www.inflectra.com/ideas/whitepaper/principles-of-requirements-
engineering.aspx, as on 17th November, 2019.

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This paper can be used as a starting point for further research and learning into the many aspects
of full Requirements Engineering.

Is Requirements Engineering That Important?

A CIO magazine study concluded, “Analysts report that as many as 71 percent of software projects
that fail do so because of poor requirements management” The unfortunate truth is that
managers of many of those projects probably believed that they were doing good requirements
management.

Although it is rarely stated so simply, the vast majority of software and systems project failures are
due in large part to insufficient importance being placed on Requirements Engineering. In
September 1999, NASA's $125 million Mars Climate Orbiter probe was destroyed when it tried to
enter orbit 100 kilometres too close to Mars. The now notorious error was due to incompatible
specifications; the attitude-control system was specified using imperial units but its navigation
software used metric units. It cannot be stressed enough that getting requirements right and using
them to the fullest extent throughout the project is critical to success. When reviewing reports of
project failure, factors such as 'Inadequate understanding of user needs', 'Unclear scope' and
'Changing requirements' can be frequently found, all of which are core aspects of RE or
Requirements Management (RM) as it is sometimes called.

A Google search for 'requirements management' results in almost 350 million hits, a testament to
the extensive coverage the discipline is now receiving and the work still to be done in providing
education in this area.

Even as projects increasingly adopt Agile processes, requirements management remains key. Agile
projects may encourage the definition of user needs and wants in different ways than traditional
processes, with user stories for example. But it is critical that stories accurately reflect the needs of
the stakeholders and allocation of stories to tasks is still performed. Essentially, the stories are the
requirements in a Scrum methodology and full access to them is essential to ensure that all team
members are working closely together towards a common goal, which is what Agile is all about.
Agile projects also promote the fleshing out of requirements as the project progresses rather than
all at the beginning, but this does not affect the principles we are addressing here.

Definitions

When it comes to the requirements domain there are plenty of terms scattered throughout the
literature. Labels such as requirements management, use-cases, needs, scenarios, stakeholders,
constraints and scope are common and each is useful in its own way. For the purpose of this
paper we shall define just three key terms: Requirement, Requirements Engineering and
Requirements Management.

In some attempts to clarify these terms, definitions get bogged down in the quality of the
requirements, i.e. what makes a good requirement? But this is not part of the core definition of a
requirement itself; a bad requirement is still a requirement in the same way that a car is still a car
even when it breaks down frequently or falls apart. We shall address the quality of requirements
later. For now, we can view a requirement as 'any statement of desire or need'. This may seem
unhelpfully vague, but it is essentially so. If, for example, the definition were to be more specific by

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including such things as the source of the requirement, or a capability of a software or systems
product, or even the nature of the requirement, then we lose the capacity for requirements to
come from many sources or to specify a corporate objective or to be either textual or visual or
both. These considerations provide insight into the wide scope and great importance of
requirements.

Requirements Engineering and Requirements Management are often used synonymously.

However, for our purposes this is unhelpful and so we shall define RE as

• the group of activities, both manual and automated, that involve the discovery,
manipulation, transformation, analysis and reporting of requirements,

and we shall define RM as

• the subset of tasks within RE that involve only the organization and administration of the
requirements information, often using a formal requirements management software tool.

What a Requirement is Not

It is sometimes helpful to see requirements as addressing the problem, and not the solution,
which emphasizes that a requirement is not an aspect of design nor a suggestion as to how to
implement a solution. A requirement should say what we want solved, not how to solve it. Of
course, while this definition should be taken seriously, it is not a hard and fast rule; it is sometimes
useful to know what solution the user envisions as part of their requirements, and design
considerations often produce new or revised requirements. Further, projects often have
constraints that dictate aspects of the solution, such as ensuring compliance with standards or
limiting the use of certain technologies. But in stating constraints, we merely put fences around
the solution, we do not provide the solution itself.

Requirements Gathering and Elicitation

Requirements do not present themselves fully formed and ready to go. They are often hidden in
the subconscious of the customer, trying to be heard amongst the noise of the users'
preconceptions, their previous habits, possible personal job dissatisfaction and desire to control
the product being developed. Users have to be coaxed, motivated and sometimes manipulated
into revealing their true needs rather than their pet solutions. Focus groups, one-on-one
discussions, process reviews, observation of existing users at work, problem reports from existing
products and questions asked by prospective users in sales situations; all these are useful
requirements gathering methods that should be combined as conditions allow to provide a well-
rounded understanding of needs.

Many of these requirements elicitation techniques take place in the workplace of the stakeholder
or some third party location for group meetings. Gathering this vital information is vital if a proper
analysis is to be performed and wherever possible, it is best to enter the information directly into
your requirements management tool of choice as the conversation is being had. The software can
then help with the requirements analysis and create links between derived user stories or
scenarios, and the original words that came straight from the users mouth.

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While developing bespoke software it can often be useful to find a product champion: someone
who can speak for the user community. When working on products with a more broad user base,
forums such as premier customer meetings that allow disparate users to discuss and sometime
prioritize requirements amongst themselves, can help provide a consensus across the user base.

When most people think of requirements the first thought that comes to mind is: what do my
customers want? But recognizing that there are different types of users as well as different types
of requirements, is an important step toward better requirement engineering as well as more
successful product management.

Types of Requirement

Product Managers must appreciate that while end-user requirements are critical, it is also
important to listen to the views and needs of other stakeholders. What about the engineers who
have to support the product? What about any formal training your organization may do with the
product and what about the needs of the sales people? Furthermore, the users are not usually the
same people as the customers; someone else is paying for the product and they probably have
their opinions too. These are all stakeholders whose needs should be considered.

As mentioned previously, constraints are another type of requirement. Corporate policies,

prohibited technologies, regulatory compliance, target platforms and system performance are all
examples of requirements that must be added to stakeholder requirements to provide a base set
of needs to work from.

These are all considered top-level requirements because they do not derive from other
requirements and they must all be considered when initially defining the scope of the project. This
is true whether the project uses a traditional waterfall approach or something more agile, where
scope may be decided for one iteration, or sprint, at a time.

Requirements Expression

Requirements definitions are more effective when they are not forced into one format.
Considering the best way to express each requirement will result in ideas that are easier to

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understand. Some formal requirements may need to be specified in written language, often called
'shall' statements, e.g. "The ticket dispenser shall dispense a maximum of 10 tickets per
transaction." Requirements written this way are sometimes contractually required and may even
need to be combined into documents with tightly regulated formats. This is common with
government contracts but is far less prevalent in the commercial sector. If you do need to do this,
consider carefully the pros and cons of keeping the requirements constantly in a document format
versus creating a new version of the document from the requirements as needed.

One of the downsides of 'shall' statements is that they provide all the detail but little sense of the
big picture, so collectively, they can take a long time to understand, write, review and make ready
for design work. This overhead has lead to the impression with some managers that RE is an
expensive and time consuming activity that holds up implementation. Unfortunately, in strict
waterfall-type projects, there is some truth to this, and managers need to keep a cool head and
trust that time spent at the front end of the project will pay off at the end. For complex, expensive,
or life-critical projects, it invariably is.

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Figure 1: A simple UML use case diagram

Where such formal statements are unnecessary, there are other ways to express requirements.
Use cases offer a method that provides the details as well as an overall understanding. There is no
fixed definition of what can and cannot be in a use case, but as the name suggests, use cases offer
small textually described vignettes of user required functionality – like a script. Scenes with a
beginning, middle and end, tell a short story of how one part of the system will function for the
users. Use cases can also be layered, one containing any number of others with more detail and in
this way the overall story can be built up. Because use cases are small examples of how the
different part of the system work and interact with one another, they generally easier to review
and understand than formal shall statements. As well as textual representations, use cases can also
be represented as UML diagrams.

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Figure 2: A textual representation of a use case scenario

There are many diagrams and pictures that can be used to describe requirements, each of which
offers a different perspective and so work better when combined, resulting in a more rounded
understanding of the problem. Activity diagrams, process flows, state transition diagrams, entity-
relationship diagrams and decision trees, are all examples of visual requirements representations
that can help individuals, with different skills and different responsibilities on a project, to
understand the requirements.

User stories appear in most Agile methods and help to express the requirements in a scenario
rather like a use case.

Figure 3: A typical set of user stories

As with all requirements, it is important to understand the difference between the requirements as
originally provided by the stakeholder and the requirements written from the stakeholders
perspective. The former is a raw user statement and may contain bias, or an incomplete view of
the system as users often state what the system should do and ignore their own part in the
process. User stories should be a reflection of stakeholder needs after they have been analyzed
collectively and a deeper understanding has been reached of the overall problem. They should
include the parts played by both the user and system in the story. This is why stakeholder reviews
of the user stories is encouraged; because it is important to ensure that the original intent was not
lost in the derived requirements.

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Supplementary Information

One of the reasons Word Processors are unsuitable as requirements management tools is that
requirements usually have additional information or attributes, such as the source of the
requirement, it's priority or it's applicability. Attributes are used to categorize and organize the
requirements. Sorting, filtering, group editing and generally keeping track of this supplementary
information should be one of the things any RM tool does well. Because of the natural tendency
to display attributes in columns against the requirements, there is a temptation to use a
spreadsheet to manage requirements, however, this comes with its own drawbacks, which will
become evident when we discuss relationships.

Figure 4: Requirement Attributes in a Software RM Tool

Good and Bad Requirements

There are only two primary criteria for a good requirement:

• It correctly expresses the need of the stakeholder, and

• It is testable.

Naturally, other, lesser criteria can be derived from these. For example, to meet the two primary
criteria, a requirement must be understandable and without ambiguity, it must not be overly
complex and it must be a true need statement, not a solution statement, (as discussed previously.)
A good requirement does not necessarily have to be feasible. User needs should not be dismissed
just because it is initially thought that it can't be done; asking for the impossible is the first step
toward making the impossible, possible. If necessary, such requirements can be set aside later,
once it is determined that they are indeed impractical.

As well as good individual requirements, the quality of the requirement set overall should be
considered, and from that it is possible to derive two further criteria. The requirements as a whole
must be:

• Consistent, and

• Complete.

Reviews and Approvals

Reviews are essential to the development of good requirements. For example, looking at the two
rules for a good requirement: the first, “It correctly expresses the need of the stakeholder,”
requires that the stakeholders review the requirements in order to be sure that this rule has been
followed and the second, “It is testable,” would be better pursued with test engineer reviews.

There is a delicate balance to be struck when building reviews into any process. Too few reviews
and problems may not be spotted, too many reviews and the project flows like molasses. Using a
requirements management tool can help by providing distributed, but controlled, access to the
requirements as well as the capability to record reviewers' comments and approval states. The

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better tools offer help with individualized reviewing and thus help avoid the agonizing 'group
review' meeting. The problem of slowed development due to meetings is well understood by
agilists such that the majority of Agile processes include clearly defined meetings, usually few in
number.

Requirements Decomposition and Relationships

Initial user or system requirements are typically unsuitable as raw input to design. At a minimum,
they need to be translated into functional capabilities; a change in perspective from what the user
wants to get to what we want the deliverable product to provide, without moving into the solution
definition itself.

It is usually the case that requirements will become more detailed as they are decomposed into
functional definitions resulting in one-to-many relationships between user and functional
requirements. (I shall use the terms relationship and link synonymously for the rest of this paper.)
These are sometimes called parent-child relationships. Occasionally, the opposite will happen and
a number of user requirements can be consolidated into fewer functional requirements; a many-
to-one relationship. Not surprisingly, most requirements transformations result in a combination
of one-to-many, many-to-one and straightforward one-to-one relationships. For reasons that will
become clear, it is critical that these complex relationships are recorded and this is where a
purpose-built RM tool really comes into its own. Commercial RM products offer a variety of ways
to create relationships from the most basic placement of check marks in a 2-dimensional matrix,
to easy-to-use drag-and-drop between requirements. Some even provide automatic link creation
as a by-product of requirements creation.

Figure 5: Link Types

When used to their fullest potential, RM tools with support for links are an invaluable asset when it
comes to not only software and systems implementation, but acceptance testing and even
maintenance. Some tools, such as Inflectra's SpiraTest, combine requirements management and
test management, along with the relationships between them, all within a single interface, making
the benefits of traceability easier to realize.

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Figure 6: Requirements linked to test cases

Taking relationships to the next level, they can be labeled in the same way as requirements, using
attributes. They might be labeled based on the meaning of the link, for example: is this a parent-
child relationship or requirements from separate sources that have a direct impact on one
another? Link attributes can even be used to acknowledge the strength of that impact. Such
information supports the analysis of the potential effect of proposed changes far more effectively
than relying on unlabeled links. When combined with multiple levels of relationships, this is
sometimes called “Rich traceability”.

Lifecycle Traceability & Analysis

While it is valuable to manage relationships between requirements of different types and levels,
the benefits are significantly greater if we start linking to data from other phases of the lifecycle.
The most widely exploited traceability is that between requirements and tests. Richard Stevens, the
mastermind behind what is now IBM Rational DOORS said that “Quality is conformance with
requirements,” and the best way to ensure that the deliverables conform to requirements is to use
them as the basis of the tests. Ideally, the tests, whether manual or automatic, will be written
directly from the requirements creating links in at the same time. Either way, the ultimate the goal
is to have every requirement linked to at least one test, even if that test is one of mere
observation. This is the best, and perhaps only way, to 'prove' that all requirements have been
met.

Other benefits gained from links between requirements and tests include the ability for engineers
to focus their efforts on the specific requirements that are not being met when tests fail, and to
more effectively review tests by examining them in the context of the requirements they are
meant to verify.

Relationships between requirements and tasks can also be useful. Individuals assigned tasks,
whether they be for design, or testing, or any other project activity, have a better understanding

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of the task in hand if they can see the requirements driving that task and so they stand a greater
chance of producing quality results.

Once a rich set of relationships has been created, they can be used to analyze the status of a
project more effectively. An RM tool should provide the ability to quickly filter requirements that
have no associated tests, or artifacts that have a large number of links that may indicate excessive
reliance on critical points in the system and that therefore may require a review of the design.

Another relationship that helps to identify problem areas is that between requirements and
defects or incident reports. Not only can this help with individual bug fixing but statistics of
incidents and their links can, over time, provide a picture of areas that might be less stable. It is
not unusual for 20% of the requirements to be related to 80% of the bugs. Finding those problem
areas and focusing effort to stabilize the code and reduce risk is essential. It is worth noting that
the requirements related to reported incidents may not necessarily be identified through direct
defect-requirement relationships but may instead be found through chains of traceability, e.g. the
defect is linked to an area of code or design which is in turn already linked back to the
requirements.

Figure 7: Requirements linked to bugs/defects

Agile projects benefit equally from traceability. Iterations may be shorter and take place faster, but
it is still important to record relationships between stories and tasks, tasks and code, code and unit
tests and stories and acceptance tests. Without these links there is so much we lose, including the
impact of later changes, which brings us to change management.

Managing Change

It is common to think of change as being managed by CM (Configuration Management) tools.

However, where requirements are concerned, the granularity of data items in CM tools is typically
larger than we need. A simple change to the priority of a single requirement can have a big
impact on a project and so ideally, as well as managing versions of full requirements, changes to
individual attributes of requirements should also be controlled and tracked. The criticality of a
product in development dictates the level of access controls required during the development
project; not every project needs tight data protection and in an agile project particularly, the
administration of detailed access controls will only slow the project down. In such situations,
consider role-based controls instead.

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Regardless of the level of control imposed, modifications must be recorded. If the priority of a
requirement changes, it is valuable to know when it happened, why, and who made the change.
As well as offering accountability, this makes it easier to reverse changes if necessary.

Figure 8: Requirement Change History in a Software RM Tool

A good RM tool should be able to quickly show the knock-on effect of change both before and
after a change is made. What will be the impact of a change both on work already completed and
work yet to be done? Which artifacts need to be reviewed again after a change is made? This is
sometimes called 'suspect links' but is more accurately termed 'suspect objects' as it is the linked
items that must be reviewed, less so the links themselves.

Requirements level change management along with with impact analysis can be beneficial if it
becomes necessary to push back against proposed changes. It becomes far easier to demonstrate
the reasons for any cost associated directly or indirect with the suggested change. This can save
the customer a lot of money and the developers a lot of time. Agile projects are typically able to
incorporate changes later in the project than traditional methods, and so understanding the
impact of a change affects not only work completed but also work in progress. It is equally
important to record changes to user stories in Agile projects for all the reasons we have discussed.

Change tracking at the requirements level can also identify instability. Examining any requirements
(or associated data) that may have an a unusually high change rate (sometimes called 'churn') can
highlight volatility. High volatility when combined with a high level of direct traceability usually
indicates an area of higher risk and therefore deserves attention.

A final thought about requirements change management: some sectors, such as those regulated
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (21 CFR Part 11), Aviation (DO-178B) and Finance
(Sarbanes-Oxley), require tightly managed control of requirements change, to the extent that an
electronic signature may be required for each and every change. While this is excessive for many
projects, it is something to consider when implementing formal requirements engineering.

One word of warning: the introduction of formal requirements change control can sometimes
create conflict with those responsible for formal configuration management within an
organization. In order to create a cooperative relationship between RM and CM practitioners and

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to avoid duplicating effort, it is prudent to include those responsible for CM in the planning and
introduction of any new RM practices.

Team Participation

Successful lifecycle traceability is dependent upon the willing participation of team members
across that lifecycle. Whether the cycle is long, as in waterfall-style projects, or short as in agile
projects, the more people involved, the more effective is the requirements engineering and
traceability in particular. An important factor in getting team members on board is to give easy
access to the tools. Choose tools that support distributed access, especially if a project involves
contractors or remotely located team members. In these days of instant communication, it is
inefficient to wait for responses from other team members, especially in Agile projects where
delays can be very costly. When team members are not co-located, instant messaging can help
bring them closer together and reduce delays, but be wary of losing vital information in those
messages and look for quick and easy ways to capture it.

Some tools provide an alternative approach to distributed teams: the ability to export data for off-
line use and then return it with changes. Such functionality is most commonly found in more
sophisticated tools and can be complicated to use and not entirely effective.

Requirements Management in Maintenance

There is the temptation to put the requirements into mothballs once the original development
project is officially over. But during maintenance, there will almost certainly be the need for defect
resolution and the release of updates. RM can play a vital role in identifying, especially for new
team members, why the system works the way it does and the potential impact of any proposed
'fixes' or changes, and so prevent 'the fix that breaks something else'!

It is important to allocate effort during maintenance for requirements upkeep. If the requirements
are not updated as changes are made and problems resolved, the advantages requirements
engineering provides will diminish and eventually it could become part of the problem, not the
solution.

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Requirements Reuse

Although the details are beyond the scope of this paper, we should mention requirements reuse.
Many projects have as their starting point, an existing product or some of its components. It
would be time consuming to rewrite the requirements where they are the same or similar for the
new project. Instead, effort put into the analysis of the existing requirements can save time and
money by identifying not only requirements that can be reused but, through traceability, also
design elements, code and even tests that can be applied to the new project.

The simplest approach to reuse is to create a copy of all relevant data for use in the new project.
However, difficulties arise when trying to take fixes made to the original product, and roll them
into the new one. Another means of requirements reuse is to employ attributes to denote the
applicability of requirements to either the existing or the new variant, or both. Problems can occur
here when elements that are identical but enter different phases of development or maintenance
and so are still the same, but not in the same release cycle. Both these techniques are solutions to
parallel development but neither is well supported by RM tools.

The practice of managing multiple product variants is often called 'Product Family Management'
and is one of the most problematic areas for organizations looking to become more efficient
through increased reuse, and careful planning is required to implement it successfully.

Implementing Requirements Engineering

Introducing formal requirements engineering is not as simple as making the decision and
procuring a software tool. As with any change, achieving acceptance can be the biggest battle. It
can start a power struggle over who 'owns' the requirements and create higher walls between
project members with potential 'not invented here' attitudes. New tools become shelf-ware and
silos of differing project activities become stronger, the opposite of what is sought. Formal RE
requires a culture change that is more easily achieved by involving a variety of project members
from the very start. It is important to ensure that management is on-board and enlist the help of
the those team members who influence others. Making the implementation of a new process a
team effort will increase the likelihood of success and may even yield ideas nobody had previously
thought of.

Perhaps it goes without saying that an RM tool should be quick and easy to use, but this is even
more apparent in Agile projects where there is the need to maintain a fast pace and not slow
things down, which would then defeat the purpose.

Six Typical Requirements Engineering Problems

Common mistakes and traps to avoid:

• Scope creep – The introduction of new, 'little' requirements here and there because they
seem 'easy' or to make the customer happy. Not only do they soon add up, there is an
impact on all the project activities including test, documentation, training, etc.

• Gold plating/Over engineering – Doing more than is required to solve a problem or

adding code when someone thinks, 'While I'm doing this I may as well do....'. This can put

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 the actual requirements at risk. Like scope creep, it creates a lot more work. A random
number generating algorithm doesn't have to incorporate the latest thinking of
mathematics Nobel laureates.

• Shutting out users – While it is unhelpful to have the users constantly scrutinizing the
team's work, it is worse to keep them out. The earlier that user feedback is received, the
less costly it is to incorporate.

• Unidentified stakeholders – Is is essential that all stakeholders have been identified and
consulted. Look for those who are unusually or unexpectedly impacted by the product(s)
being built. For example, a paper-saving system may affect the job of an unseen archivist
who works in the basement.

• Requirements Engineering as an administrative function – When there is resistance to

change, the solution often employed is to allow some team members to work as before
and have 'administrators' enter information into an RM tool. Not only does this introduce
a superfluous overhead, it creates opportunities for human error and denies the project
the true benefits of process improvement.

• Assuming a tool will solve the problems – Throwing a tool at the problem is like giving a
car to a pizza delivery person who cannot drive. It is important to provide adequate
training, not only in the tool but also in the process improvements designed to take
advantage of the new product.

Activity 2

Summarise the information you would need to determine the requirements for a technical
drawing.

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Activity 2

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 Activity 2

Review available information relevant to project and work requirements, and

identify and address further information needs

What Makes a Good CAD Designer?6

CAD design is a highly technical and aesthetically pleasing field to work in. As a CAD designer, it is
not difficult to accumulate success and it is a highly rewarding career option. To gain success and
recognition as a good CAD designer you will need to exhibit the following characteristics:

• Creativity- Designing in CAD is the modern day artistry for computer-orientated

individuals. You are taking an idea from its inception and creating a representation on a
different medium, a computer. To be a good CAD designer, you must be highly creative
and innovative.
• Attention to Detail - As a CAD professional, your attention to detail will show in all of your
work. Even the smallest amount of time you put into every design will garner huge
benefits in the future. To be a good CAD designer you should look to put extra time into
all of your designs.
• Keep an Open Mind - Your own idea on how to create a design will be completely
different to your managers and employees visions. Due to the creativity involved in CAD,
everyone has their own perceptions of how things should be created. In this sense, there is
no right a wrong when it comes to design. You should keep an open mind and be willing
to accept advice from those who have more experience and anyone with great ideas.
Keep an open mind because without advice your ability to become a good CAD designer
will be severely limited.
• Teach Others What You Know - A great way to improve your own skills is to teach others
what you already know. Share your tips with your colleagues, training new drafters or even
writing your own blog. When you teach others you become much more confident in what
you already know and as a result improve your performance as a CAD drafter.
• Be Passionate - Becoming a good CAD designer requires you to enjoy CAD. Have fun with
it, learn new techniques and share your designs with everyone around you to enjoy.
• Practice Makes Perfect - You should make an effort to work on your own personal
projects. You may not be excited about the work you do professionally to earn a living so

6
Source: Kangan Institute, as at https://www.kangan.edu.au/students/blog/what-makes-a-good-cad-designer,
as on 16th November, 2019.

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 put time aside to your on projects that interest you. These personal projects will allow you
to explore news ideas and techniques.

Organisational CAD Standard7

The following is a list of the most common items included in general CAD standards and therefore
will probably show up on your roadmap to a new standard:

• File Structure — Too many organizations do not take the structure and integrity of their data
seriously enough. A standard file structure for CAD drawings that categorizes existing, proposed,
survey, and record drawing files is essential. This reduces the time it takes to find needed files. This
is especially true after long periods of time pass between project phases.

• File Naming Standard — A standard convention for CAD naming is essentially to easily and
confidently identify drawings in large drawing sets. Mistakenly opened drawings files require
rendering time to initially “open,” and that time does add up! Remember, time is money!

• Layering Standard — Layering is essential to drawing files, both large and small. Establishing
conventions for nomenclature, color, and visibility are just a few ways to create a standard that
can be relied on throughout your organization. And do not forget the layer descriptions!

• Annotation Standard — Codifying the specifics of text in drawings is essential to the continuity of
a plan set. Plan sheets with varied font styles, orientations, colors, dimension styles, and leader
callouts rob your organization of the professional impression it deserves!

• External Reference Standard — While external references and data shortcuts can be huge
timesavers, improperly applying them could cause issues. The most common issue being “circular
references” in which external references have multiple, nested, entries in a single drawing file.
Establishing a best practice of inserting external references as “overlay” objects is a quick and
reliable fix.

• Plot Standard — No matter how detailed and thorough a drawing file may be, until it is shared
with building or manufacturing professionals it is just so many lines on a screen. Since most plan
sets are still shared in print, it is very important that any organization have a single or standardized
set of plot files that can be relied on to accurately produce reliable and prints with accurate
lineweights and colours.

Again, this is by no means a complete list. Nor is it a detailed direction of “how to change layer
colours” or other minutia. The wealth and depth of information on the Internet and in resources
available for purchase more than covers those deep, detail needs.

The Shape of Standards

Since a CAD standard has a variety of aspects that require attention and different approaches, it

7
Source: Medium, as at https://medium.com/autodesk-university/developing-cad-standards-a-complete-
guide-8e6933ad17ac, as on 16th November, 2019.

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only makes sense that the standard itself would be comprised of various forms of documentation.
These can take several forms that include:

• Drawing Templates — “Seed” files that are used to set initial, standardized configurations, of
CAD drawings that speed production

• Best Practice Documents — Written documents that catalogue and detail an organization’s
approved method for CAD production

• Detail Libraries — Standardized, reusable CAD drawings that represent water, paving, structural,
and other design details that are used across multiple projects for greater design information

Drawing Templates
Drawing templates are CAD drawing files that end in the file extension “DWT” and are used to
store preferred settings for DWG files. When beginning a new DWG file, a template can be
selected as a “seed” that AutoCAD and other CAD products will use to create a new file with all of
the DWTs pre-defined aspects. These can include layer standards, plot configurations, annotation
styles, and many other details.

Obviously this can be a great time saver, but more importantly it creates a method of
standardizing these drawing features with little to no effort. Therefore, DWT files are essential for
inclusion in any CAD standard.

As fantastically helpful as the DWT file can be, it does not have to be difficult to create. The
process is as simple as taking a drawing based on the existing DWT in use, making the desired
changes, and saving the file as a “Drawing Template” for future use.

Once created, drawing templates should be stored in a designated location accessible to all
production CAD staff. This highlights the importance of document file locations and file structures
so all involved parties can be confident that they can find the needed template. A template that
can’t be found won’t be used!

Best Practice Documents

Along with drawing templates, best practice documents are essential to the successful creation of
any CAD standard. It is not enough to “set things up” if you do not properly document the steps
involved in the approved production process for an organization.

Essentially, a “best practice” is a well-thought-out “how to” document. It should take a single
process and distill it into the individual steps required to take the selected task from beginning to
end.

Best practice documentation can take the form of something as simple as a bullet list of steps,
consisting of just a few words each. However, truly effective documents will present a single task in
a way that explains not only the steps involved in the process, but also its concepts. In addition,
the process information should be presented in a manner that is equally useful for both novice
and experienced production staff.

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The best practice example presents a sample document that has sections that explain the concept,
the step-by-step process, a checklist, and a workflow diagram. While more effort is required for
this type of approach, such a document is universally applicable for both new and experienced
users. The result is that, when correctly, a best practice document should only have to be created
once, then maintained routinely. The cost savings should be obvious to anyone questioning time
spent creating these assets.

Detail Libraries
Standardized detail libraries, in addition to drawing templates and best practice documents, are
key to the success of any nascent CAD standard. This single, simple innovation in your production
practice can yield a massive return on investment in terms of wasted billable hours, resulting in
increased effectiveness for your team.

The reason it is necessary to create a standardized detail library which is, in turn, made available
to all production staff is a matter of multiplication, rather than simplification. If a company has
even the simplest detail, for example a fire hydrant, and has 10 offices then there is a strong
likelihood of duplicated effort. Why would anyone reinvent the wheel, let alone do it 10 times?
Even if the duplicated effort were assumed to be half, that is still 4x the additional billable hours to
recreate a single detail.

Now multiply that wasted time by the number of details in any given design firm. The scope of
wasted time quickly becomes staggering. Still, the waste does not end there. The practice of
maintaining multiple instances of detail drawings creates an ecosystem that all but guarantees
errors in maintenance. Multiple instances of details that differ from one another are not very
standard. Standardizing the full set of details across all office locations is the only sure way to put
an end to all of this waste.

As with most aspects of any CAD standard, the exact details of how you choose to organize the
detail library for your organization will vary. However, there are some basic steps involved with
standardizing any existing collection of CAD details:

1. Collect all multiple instances of existing details

a. Review the full collection and select the best, most suitable file

2. Check the linework

a. Eliminate duplicate linework

b. Convert connected lines into single polylines

c. Check hatches

3. Check the text

a. Check font styles and sizes

b. Convert all existing text to Mtext and spell check

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c. Check all callouts and dimensions for accuracy

d. Verify layering

e. Verify justification

4. Check the layers

a. Reduce existing layers to bare minimum

b. Normalize layer settings and nomenclature

c. Enter layer descriptions

5. Check the detail’s insertion point

By following the above checklist, you can quickly reduce the intimidation factor of such a daunting
task. Soon you will have a collection of similarly formatted detail drawings that will work in your
projects.

As a final tip, examine the physical size of the detail in relation to the intended sheet size and
adjust the size accordingly to insure it will fit with the standard border in use. Also, I deeply
recommend a separate title block with a detail grid to avoid cluttered detail sheets. This grid
should have standardized spacing for details and all details should be set to fit into one or more
grid spaces, but never more than one detail per space.

Deploying the CAD Standard

Whatever route and specifics you choose to follow in the quest to develop a CAD standard for
your organization, eventually there comes a time to release the standard into the wild. And to do
that, you need to have a plan.

The Deployment “Meta-Standard”

But first, you should be prepared to document the process that you follow to release your
standard. Think of this as either a best practice, or a “meta-standard” for releasing standards.

Your release process, or best practice, does not have to be elaborate. In fact, a single page, or
electronic document could satisfy your entire need here. Naturally, the more detail that is
included, the better. Still, since this best practice is intended only for your own use, being sparse is
acceptable.

Things to document in your deployment notes include:

• Server directory location(s) to be deployed to or updated

• Necessary support paths to be added to workstation installations
• List of deployed standards and / or detail libraries
• Last update date
• Contact information for CAD leaders to be notified on updates
• Any special log-in credential required

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 • Date of next schedule update

Design Process

The Design Process is the most important to understand computer aided design effectively. Thus
one should first understand the design process. The design process is an iterative process which
checks the suitability of the design again and again8.

Design Process as Explained by Shigley

A. Recognition of Need: Recognition of need involves the realization by someone that a problem
exists for which some feasible solution is to be found. This might be the identification of some defect
in a current machine design activity by an engineer or the perception of a new product marketing
opportunity by a salesman.

B. Definition of Problem: Definition of problem involves a through specification of the item to be

designed. This specification will generally include functional and physical characteristics, cost, quality,
performance, etc.

8
Source: Manish Sharma, as at http://mvscad.blogspot.com/2012/07/design-process.html, as on 16th
November, 2019.

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C. Synthesis: During the synthesis phase of the design process various preliminary ideas are
developed through research of similar product or design in use.

D. Analysis and Optimization: The resulting preliminary design is then subjected to appropriate
analysis to determine their suitability for the specified design constraint. If this design fails to satisfy
the constraints, they are redesigned or modified on the basis of the feedback from the analysis. This
iterative process is repeated until the proposed design meets the specification or until the designer
is convinced that the design is not feasible.

E. Evaluation: The assessment or evaluation of the design against the specification established
during the problem definition phase is then carried out. This often requires the fabrication and
testing of a prototype model to evaluate operating performance quality, reliability, etc.

F. Presentation: The final phase of design process is the presentation of the design. This include the
documentation of the design through drawing, material specification, assembly lists and so on.

Common standards and collaborative practices9

Particularly important to the effective use of CAD is the ability to share and re-use information,
and this requires the disciplined application of agreed standards of drawing preparation across
project teams. This means that the effective use of CAD is as much about collaborative practices
as it is about software.

Project standards can be formalised as standard methods and procedures (SMP's) which should
be agreed as early in the project as possible and should describe how information is structured,
how it will be produced and how it will be managed and exchanged.

The SMP might include agreed standards and procedures for:

• Software.
• Layering.
• Zoning.
• Co-ordination
• Origin.
• Orientation.
• Fonts, line types and weights.
• Dimensions, abbreviations and symbols.
• File structure and file naming.
• Standard templates (for example, drawing titles).

9
Source: Designing Buildings, as at https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Computer_aided_design_CAD,
as on 16th November, 2019.

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 • Page sizes and scales.
• Permissions and change control procedures.

The great variety in the extent to which CAD and building information modelling can be used on a
project means that it is important to clearly define what is expected and to set this out in tender
documents and appointment documents.

Activity 3

How do organisations benefit from standards?

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 Activity 3

The Benefits of CAD

CAD software is used in a wide range of technology firms because it saves a lot of time and
resources. Before the development and commercialization of CAD, draftsmen were only able to
express their work physically on paper. Drawing by hand was a time consuming and physically
exhausting exercise. It required close attention to detail and had very little room for error. CAD
programs enable the draftsmen to make accurate drawings in a short time with fewer mistakes.
Also, modifications to the design can be made quickly and easily. We have highlighted a few
benefits of using CAD here below.

Easy File Sharing

Globalization has made it possible for people from different parts of the world to bring their
minds together to accomplish mutually beneficial projects. Sharing of concepts and ideas has
never been more commonplace as it is today. Multinational companies have employees from
different countries and time zones carrying out joint tasks and contributing to the development of
collaborative projects.

Before people began using CAD, several man-hours would be spent in meetings, making
drawings as well as copies and a lot of time was lost waiting for mail correspondence between
vested parties in order to accomplish a single project. All drawings needed to be absolutely
accurate as any adjustments would cost too much time and money to incorporate.

CAD has simplified the digitization of technical drawings allowing designers to work together
without ever having to meet physically thus saving a lot of travel expenses and other challenges.
Active files can be shared and worked on by people with different professions and skill sets at
various stages of a project.

For example, an architect can develop the basic framework of a new skyscraper building and send
it to a structural engineer to evaluate the structural integrity and determine the best materials to

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use. After feedback, a sanitation expert can have their take on the water supply and drainage
systems. An electrical engineer can then add in the electrical system design and finally, an interior
designer can furnish the rooms and select the color themes before presenting a complete concept
to the client. All of these specialists are now able to offer their services independently without
leaving their homes or offices.

Multiple Layered Drawings

CAD software allows designers and technicians to work on different layers or planes before
bringing them together to form a complete design. Layers allow you to isolate parts of your
drawing and work on it without the interference or obstruction of other parts of the structure.

Layers are very useful for mechanical drawings that have several interconnecting parts and
overlapping components. For example, when designing airplanes, the designer needs to make
separate drawings for the outer body of the aircraft (airframe), the fuel system, the hydraulic
system, the electrical system, and many other components that need to come together as parts of
one finished product. Since all these systems can get mixed up on a single two-dimensional
paper, layers come into action.

Manual design methods require the designers to make a number of drawings of the same scale
on transparent paper and then place them one on top of the other in order to represent an entire
project. CAD programs have layers that make this possible at the click of a mouse. They allow you
to use different colours and names for the layers and give you the freedom to adjust any part of
any layer without redoing the whole project.

High Drawing Accuracy

CAD systems have pre-set algorithms that have been programmed to increase the accuracy of
drawings. They make it possible to identify the starting point, midpoint, and end point of any
straight line in the model automatically. This is useful for symmetrical and interconnected
illustrations. There are several ways to make precise drawings in CAD systems. For example, you
can use a computer keyboard to type the predetermined length of lines and the exact angles of
polygons in order to minimize errors.

Reliable Documentation of the Design Process

With CAD systems, you will be able to keep records of your drawings throughout the entire
design process. They help you to document and keep records of your work progress in a neat and
presentable format. These records can come in handy when you try to explain your work process
to trainees, clients, or superiors.

The systematic documentation function built-into the CAD software is also useful when defending
patent cases. The program will be able to show the dates and times that a project was worked on
as well as the specific computer that was used. This is could be instrumental information whenever
you need to defend the authenticity of your work.

Structural integrity

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Advanced CAD systems such as solid modeling programs are able to simulate stress tests on 3D
models. This function is most beneficial for products that have moving parts or that are designed
to bear certain loads. Solid modeling software such as SolidWorks will allow you to input the
product material, its density, and performance features and limitations. Some programs have
preloaded features of materials such as cast iron, steel, and titanium so that you only need to
select them from a given list.

Once you have designed the product and assigned the material details, you can initiate a stress
analysis test on the model to see at what point the system fails. It is also useful when designing
molds and you need to know whether the material in the mold will flow correctly.

Manufacturers save a lot of money and time by making use of features like this one. It enables
them to identify flaws in the design of their products before they spend valuable resources to
make a prototype. The stress analysis test and other similar applications help the user to modify
the design freely until they find a configuration that fulfills the desired performance requirements.

These CAD options also help manufacturers simulate the use of different materials to make the
same product enabling them to select the best material based on cost and performance without
spending a cent.

Advantages and Disadvantages of CAD10

Computer-Aided-Design or CAD involves the use of a computer to create, modify, analyze, and
optimize the model of an object or a part. It is used quite extensively in industrial and
manufacturing environments.

Industries like oil and gas, real estate, automotive, defence, aerospace, and manufacturing are
heavy users of CAD-based systems for their product design and development functions. Even
the entertainment industry uses CAD systems to create animation and special effects.

CAD software allows design functionality in 2D as well as 3D workspaces. There are many
advantages of using computerized CAD systems. The abundance of features allows a designer
to build and design a wide variety of models. The highly technical nature of CAR systems means
that the model created using the system can confirm to highly precise standards that industrial
projects demand.

However, the upsides also come with some downsides. The wide variety of features and the
technical nature of CAD software mean that one will not be able to simply open the software
and start creating models. Using CAD-based systems to model parts requires plenty of
preparation, skill building, and money.

The process of designing using CAD is a lot different from conventional drawing-board based
methodologies. CAD has its faults in spite of being a modern digital answer to designing and
drafting. In this article, we will explore the positives and negatives of using CAD.

10
Source: 3D Insider, as at https://3dinsider.com/cad-advantages-and-disadvantages/, as on 16th November,
2019.

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Advantages

1. High precision low error

CAD, being a computer program, is highly accurate. In fact, it has much lower tolerance limits
than traditional drafting. The percentage of error which manual drawing introduces can be
greatly minimized by CAD software.

High precision and low tolerance make sure that the margin of error for various CAD-created
models is also low. This low margin of error is particularly desirable when multiple sub-
assemblies have to be fitted together.

CAD also has the tools which can be used to measure the accuracy and precision of designs.

2. Automating the design process

CAD allows the user to design and create a model of each sub-assembly of a big complex part.
CAD also allows the user to then put together all of those sub-assemblies to see how the whole
thing fits together. It automates crucial parts of the design phase.

In the past, one would have to make prototypes of each subpart and then manually fit
everything together. If something was off, then all the prototypes were wasted.

With CAD, a user can iterate and update the design as many times as needed to get the
assemblies to work out. And, there is no money wasted in making expensive prototypes. The
only money spent is on the additional time that it takes a designer to make the modifications.

3. Saving time

CAD can allow a user to design a part much faster than traditional drafting. Some of the

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designs and shapes are often pre-built. Hence, only minor modifications need to be made.

CAD also allows the user to automate 3D imagery and integrate multiple components of the
same model simultaneously with each other. In traditional drafting, one would have to build
prototypes and integrate everything to see if the result is a success.

CAD can scale models using vector graphic technology. In order to change the scale of the
model, one simply has to punch in a few numbers. The vector graphic technology uses
mathematical formulas to create a digital image of the model that is designed. The whole
process takes a few minutes at the most.

With traditional drafting, a new drawing with a larger scale has to be created by hand which is a
lot more time consuming than clicking a few buttons.

4. Simulation

CAD software can take into account the physical and material properties of the model that you
are creating. CAD can allow the user to put all sub-assemblies together and view how the
finished product will look like and whether all the dimensions and tolerances are spot on. It
allows engineers and clients to visualize the final product.

If some of your sub-assemblies use different materials, then CAD can give you a clearer idea of
how those sub-assemblies with multiple material choices will come together. CAD software has
the capability of simulating how different materials will interact with one another.
If one has to do such analysis and simulation in a traditional drafting setup, then it would take
much longer.

5. Re-use and share

Being a computer software, CAD allows its designs to be easily replicated. One can fully
replicate the entire design or take bits and pieces of an existing model to create a new
variation. The entire process is as quick as a copy-paste.

Replicating a previous model is also flawless. There is no chance of error because the user
simply has to reprint the old one. With traditional drafting, manual errors can creep in, even if
the new model is an exact replica of the old one.

CAD files are electronic files. Hence, they can be transferred, shared, and sent all the way to the
other side of the world in mere seconds. Hence, using CAD offers a high degree of flexibility.
Teams across the world can collaborate on projects due to CAD systems.

6. Easy to make changes

If the engineer or manager is not satisfied with a newly created CAD model, then he/she can
easily have the designer change anything on that model. The modifications are often a matter
of a few clicks. Such simplicity and speed in making modifications are simply not possible with
traditional drafting.

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Because CAD allows a model to be viewed from various angles, mistakes which may otherwise
not be apparent with a certain view can be easily spotted. They can then be corrected as well.

Disadvantages

1. Expensive proposition

CAD software packages are not cheap. Sure, there are some free open source CAD software
options available. But, if you want some serious stuff with advanced features, then you will have
to pay for such quality. Software like AutoCAD and Solidworks do not come cheap by any
means.

Another piece of software that one would need for smooth functioning of CAD-enabled
systems is good anti-virus. Since the CAD workstation will use the internet, there is always the
chance of spyware or malware infecting the systems. For any models which are highly classified
or sensitive, additional layers of cyber security might be needed to protect all the files and the
intellectual property. Such security software packages are expensive.

The expenses related to software aren’t one time fixed costs. They are recurring costs as
software packages need renewal every year or every few years. It is a continuous expense for
the business.

Besides the software, one also needs to invest a considerable amount of money into the
hardware that will support a CAD-enabled work environment. You would need powerful
computers with advanced graphic cards and large printers with plotters if you have to print
large models.

2. Training the staff

Using CAD software requires skill and knowledge. You may have to train all your designers
about using CAD or other digital modelling software. Training requires time and money. And

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 it’s not just the designers who need training. Even the manager might have to get basic training
about how to run and operate the systems.

Software versions also keep updating. Hence, if new features are added, then the designers
need to be trained again so that they can fully utilize the newer features. The pace of change in
technology is quite rapid and that necessitates constant skill upgrading.

3. You end up making too many changes

Because CAD makes it so easy to make changes, the frequency of making changes goes up.
There is an urge to change every tiny aspect if it seems not perfect. With hand-sketched
models, the process of making even a small change is quite involving. Hence, managers or
engineers would think hard about any change that they wished to make.

But, with CAD, engineers can keep making changes and the resulting process may not be the
most efficient. The ease of making changes does not affect managers and engineers only. It
also affects the designers who make the drawings. Because making changes becomes so easy
with CAD, the designers might also have a tendency to relax a bit.

The drafters who would hand-draw models knew them inside out. The CAD designers may not
have such depth of understanding about the model that they are creating. And they don’t need
to either because if something isn’t right, the manager will simply ask for a correction.

4. Electronic files can get corrupted

Since CAD files are digital, there may be a chance that the files get corrupted or the hard disk
develops problems. While it is a good idea to have backups, technology can sometimes fail
abruptly and that can cause plenty of problems in terms of lost work. With physical drawings,
one can always store them somewhere. But with digital, one has to rely on the memory driver
or servers to ensure safe storage.

5. Less employment generated

If you are thinking about the country’s economy as a whole, then using CAD systems to do
modeling work shifts the intensity of work from humans to computers. CAD software packages
essentially rely on the computer to do most of the work. One only needs a designer to operate
the software.

A CAD system plays a major role in how products are designed. How well you are able to manage
and implement your own CAD system has a large impact on your company’s overall productivity
and success. So what makes a good CAD designer and why is this role important?

Some of the questions a good CAD designer will ask themselves is how important is accuracy?
Should all drawings be correct? Should all drawings be done to a specific standard? Or is it more
important your drawings are done on time and to a standard?

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Identify computing equipment and software used in the organisation

How CAD works

CAD software was designed to simplify the technical design process and save you the hassle of
drawing with paper and pencils. In order to maximize your CAD experience, you need to have a
good understanding of computers and technical drawing. The computer program can only do
what you direct it to, so the first thing you need is to have a design idea in mind. Once you know
what you want to draw, then you can convey the image to the machine.

It is easier to use CAD if you can make working sketches of your idea on paper before making
detailed illustrations on the computer. Sketches save a lot of time when working with CAD
because they help streamline your focus in accomplishing the task.

Most CAD programs have a small rectangular box or window at the bottom of the screen where
you can type instructions or commands according to what you want to draw. This box is known as
the Command Window. The programs have several commands and algorithms that result in
different combinations of lines, shapes, and curves once typed into the command box.

Command Input Devices

A Command Input device, as the name suggests, is equipment that is used by the designer to
feed instructions into the CAD software. The best way to feed commands into the CAD software is
to use your regular mouse and keyboard because they are standard equipment that you would
normally purchase with your computer. As you work more with Computer-Aided Design, you may
develop preferences and working styles that require you to invest in more advanced input
equipment such as light pens which use light sensors to choose items on the screen, and touch
pads which can allow you to draw freely without the aid of a mouse.

Many CAD professionals invest in special CAD keyboards or mice. The mice are designed to suit
the specific needs of a CAD expert. They often have scroll balls to help the user move up and
down the screen easily, and some have ergonomic designs to reduce the strain or fatigue caused
from using the mouse for long hours. The specialized keyboards have additional keys, shortcuts
and sometimes, a non-conventional shape to make the CAD experience more comfortable for the
user.

Bluetooth CAD Mouse

CAD users who work a lot on the move are big fans of Bluetooth mice because they are wireless,
compact, and easy to travel with. They are preferred over USB wireless mice because they do not
need a USB dongle which is normally inserted into the computer for connectivity. They instead use
a Bluetooth signal. USB dongles often get lost when traveling.

The main limitation is that they can only work with a Bluetooth enabled computer. If your
computer is not Bluetooth enabled, you can either attach a Bluetooth receiver to it or opt for a

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USB wireless mouse. Another challenge faced by wireless devices is their power source. Some of
these mice are rechargeable, while others need you to buy a separate battery. Battery life also
varies from one mouse to the other.

Make and Picture Battery life Buttons Special feature

Model
Vic Tsing 15 Months (AA 6 5 DPI Levels (800
MM057 Batteries) Buttons – 2400)

Logitech 10 Months (AA 4 Laser-Grade

M535 Batteries) buttons Optical Sensor

Logitech 70 Days 6+ Can be used on 3

MX (Rechargeable) buttons computers
Anywhere simultaneously
2S

Vertical Mouse

Vertical Mice are ergonomically designed to mimic the neutral “handshake” position. This concept
is aimed at reducing stress and fatigue on the arm and wrist that occurs when you use an ordinary
mouse for a long time. The vertical mouse has a wide range of functions due to the inclusion of
additional programmable buttons, which can be reached by the user’s fingers, unlike the
conventional mouse that only supports the use of two fingers.

Make and Picture Sensitivity Special feature

Model

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 Jelly Adjustable DPI Scientific Ergonomic
Comb 800/1200/1600 design
MV014

Delux Adjustable DPI Ergonomic Design

M618 Plus 800/1200/1600/ promotes user’s
2400/4000 comfort

J-Tech Adjustable DPI Can be used on 3

Digital 600/1000/1600 computers
V628 simultaneously

Graphics Tablet

Graphics tablets are flat touch-sensitive panels that you connect to your computer via a USB port.
People really like the wireless versions because they give you the freedom to move around. The
tablets are fashioned to let the user make drawings freely without the limitations of a mouse.

In CAD programs, you can make free curves and abstract lines that would require several
commands to achieve. Although graphics tablets are best suited for fine arts, painting, and photo
editing programs, some architects and aerodynamics designers like to use them to make new
unconventional curves and streamline drawings in their projects. Most of these tablets are
equipped with customizable buttons for the user to assign functions, and a rechargeable pen for
drawing.

Graphics tablets can be rated according to pressure sensitivity levels. The pressure sensitivity
simply indicates how much you can vary the thickness or opacity of a line by the amount of

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pressure you put on it. It is designed to imitate the effect of using a paintbrush or soft pencil
where the more pressure you use, the thicker the lines.

Make and Picture Size Number of Special

Model buttons feature
Huion 10 by 8 Customizable 2048 pressure
H610PRO 6.25 buttons & 16 Sensitivity
Inches hotkeys levels

XP-PEN 10 by 6 6 Shortcut keys 8192 Pressure

Star06C inches and one dial sensitivity
levels

UGEE 10 by 6 8 Customizable 8192 Pressure

M708 Inches hotkeys sensitivity
Levels

Types of CAD Software

Your choice of CAD program will depend on your budget, what you want to use it for, and your
personal preferences. For example, architects and electrical engineers may end up using different
CAD software simply because of the kind of drawings they want to make.

An architect may need a program that can produce a three dimensional model of a house
including its interior finishes, colour codes, and furniture layout to sell to a client, while an electrical
engineer may simply need a program that can make a flat, black and white drawing of the
electrical circuit to guide his electricians. All in all, at the fundamental level, CAD software can
either be two dimensional (2D CAD) or three dimensional (3D CAD).

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2D CAD

Two dimensional or 2D CAD systems were developed in the seventies and basically consisted of
drawings that existed on one flat plane representing only the length and width of an object. These
were made using a combination of straight or curvy lines as well as basic geometric shapes such
as circles, triangles, and rectangles among others. AutoCAD and CADkey are among the most
common 2D CAD programs in use.

3D CAD

Improved computational power and algorithms in the eighties made it possible to incorporate a
third dimension into the basic 2D CAD programs and birthed three dimensional or 3D CAD. The
3D CAD systems include the dimension of depth or height in technical drawings enabling the
designers to create life-like models of their projects and spin them around to display different
angles and views. This helps to visualize a new concept, especially when communicating it to
people who may not have technical backgrounds such as marketing teams, clients, and local
authorities when seeking permits or support on a project.

3D CAD systems initially only modelled arcs and lines and were referred to as 3D Wire-frame
Models. They presented a skeletal representation of the finished product and displayed all internal
components of the system.

After wire-frame models, software developers came up with 3D Surface Models. These programs
use algorithms to model the outer surface of the designed objects. Their ability to form smooth
curves and shapes made them ideal for making the first 3 D models of airplanes, cars, ships, and
other objects that had streamlined features.

The most popular 3D CAD programs are referred to as Solid Modelling Software because they
have the capability to model every part of the product representing both internal and external
components as they would appear in reality. The designers are able to feed details such as the
dimensions and density of the materials chosen in order to determine the overall weight of the
structure. Some of the best solid modelling software in the market includes SolidWorks and
Unigraphics NX.

Getting Started With CAD

Now that you have a pretty good idea what CAD is and how it works, it is time to figure out how
to start your own CAD story. There are several things to look into when you are getting started
with CAD software but we will only list a few of them here to get you off on the right track.

Software Choice

Your choice of CAD software is based on a wide range of factors such as your purpose for using
CAD, budget, and personal preference among others. However, a lot of people simply start out
with whatever software is available to them.

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AutoCAD, developed by Autodesk, is the first CAD software that most people use. AutoCAD is the
preferred CAD software for universities and students because it is easy to teach and it offers
several training options including membership of the Autodesk Design Academy. The Autodesk
Design Academy provides free educational resources, self-paced online courses, tutorials, and
competitions to help you learn the program. The most recent version of this software is AutoCAD
2019 and is available through subscription on the Autodesk website. It is the highest ranking CAD
software in 2018.

If you are looking for a balance between great functionality and affordability, TurboCAD Deluxe is
the product for you. It is reasonably priced at under $200 and comes highly recommended for
user-friendliness. TurboCAD deluxe has additional tools such as House Wizard TM that helps you
learn how to use the program quickly.

Another program to keep an eye out for is Solid Works. This program is one of the easiest to use
on the market and it has built-in tutorials to help you understand its quirks and shortcuts. Solid
Works incorporates stress analysis functions that can help to check the integrity of your design.
Solid Works is intermediate software because it is easy to use but does not have very high
rendering capabilities. It has a user-friendly interface that makes it a good learning tool and a
ready option for teaching solid modeling in schools. Solid Works is a product of Dassault Systems
who are famous for producing one of the most expensive CAD software, CATIA. CATIA is a
product of choice for seasoned engineers. Despite its high price, it offers some of the most
powerful CAD tools suitable for designing complex engineering systems for use in the
hydropower, aerospace, and thermal power industries.

Computer System Compatibility

Your choice of software must be compatible with the equipment available to you. It is important
to find out if the processing speed of your computer or laptop is good enough to operate the
software you want to install. You also need to know the amount of RAM (the memory available to
run programs), disk space, and the operating system recommended for each CAD software. The
collection of this information for a particular CAD program makes up the system requirements.
The lowest configuration of components acceptable to make the program work is defined as its
minimum system requirements.

As CAD technology improves, you find that newer software has higher system requirements than
an older version of the same software. This is the case with Autodesk who release a new version of
AutoCAD every year. For example, AutoCAD software from 2016 and above needs 4 GB RAM for
64 bit systems while the previous versions only needed 2 GB RAM.

If you are just getting started with CAD, or if you only have access to basic computers with low
specs, we advise you to either go for 2D CAD programs or older versions of CAD software. Older
versions of software are often cheaper and contain lower system requirements. 2D CAD software
often has low system requirements when compared to 3D CAD systems. Further, as a beginner, it
may be good to focus on and master the 2D system before moving on to the three-dimensional
programs.

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Activity 4

What hardware is required to undertake CAD?

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 2 Dimensional CAD (2D CAD)11
2D CAD is the pioneer of CAD software, and was developed in the early 70s. At that time, major
automobile, aerospace and other engineering companies developed in-house tools to
automate repetitive drafting requirements. 2D CAD relies on basic geometric shapes like lines,
rectangles, circles, etc. to produce flat drawings. These types of software have been first
developed way back in 1970’s.

AutoDesk is one of the pioneering companies that has played a significant role in developing
CAD software.

3 Dimensional CAD (3D CAD)

3D CAD is a step up from the 2D CAD software of yesteryears. As the processing power of
computers increased and the graphic display capabilities improved, 3D CAD has become an
increasingly popular design tool. 3D CAD allows creation of 3D images that are realistic. These
images are called 3D models as they can be viewed and rotated in any direction – X, Y or Z.
You can also display views from a 3D model, such as isometrics or perspectives, from any angle
using 3D CAD. 3D CAD tools were introduced in 1980’s by a partnership between IBM-Dassults.
3D CAD quickly became popular because of enhanced visual capability.

The rapid advancement of 3D software today has helped quick turnaround in product design,
giving birth to the concept for product lifecycle management (PLM). A few of today’s leading
3D CAD software includes SolidEdge and SolidWorks. Of course, with the vast array of tools,
professional training is needed to master these tools.

There is yet another way of classifying CAD software - in terms of their operating parameters.
Once you understand these parameters, you can optimize the CAD software properly. A little
training should help you go a long way!

Single-file-mode systems - This type of CAD software allows only a single user to work on a
single file at a time.

Referenced-file-mode systems - In this type of CAD software, users can work on their own files
with the files of other users attached as a background. This enables users to levergae other
users' work as background data.

Collaborative-mode systems - These CAD systems take the referenced-mode system to the
next level. They allow a team of users to collaboratively work with each other's data and see the
changes other users make to the data as they go. And of course, the giants in this field (for
example AutoCAD) can be used in different modes of a operation.

3D CAD can be further classified as:

11
Source: DesignTech CAD Academy, as at https://www.designtechcadacademy.com/knowledge-base/cad-
software-types, as on 16th November, 2019.

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 Wire-frame models – they create skeleton like models with lines and arcs. Since they appear to
be made of wires, and everything in the background is visible, they are called wire-frame
models. They are not very popular anymore.

Surface models – unlike wire frames, these models are created by joining 3D surfaces. Since
nothing in the background is visible, the surface models are quite realistic.

Solid models – they are considered to be the most useful CAD models. Although they appear
to be the same as surface models, they also have additional properties like weight, volume and
density, just like actual physical objects. These models are commonly used as prototypes to
study engineering designs.

Prior to undertaking any Computer Aided Design work, you should ensure the required
equipment and software are available in the organisation to undertake the task and produce
drawings that will meet the established requirements. The requirements will determine the
equipment and software requirements.

Identify work flow and procedures for work supervision

Workflows are a major concern for most engineering firms. As fast as the software evolves, are we
using the right workflows for the new software or are we using dated workflows based on old
technology. Streamline your CAD workflows will improve quality and efficiency.

Identifying Common CAD Bottlenecks12

Working in CAD is a resource-heavy undertaking. When working large-scale, it’s easy to get lost in
3D asset creation and forget how to keep your rendering hardware working at maximum capacity.
Get familiar with the most common areas that cause your rendering to bottleneck. Once
preventing such bottlenecks becomes a regular part of your routine, you’ll find that your workflow
has improved phenomenally.
What follows are the five most common areas that cause major slowdown in CAD rendering time.
Use this information to help you identify what may be slowing down your workflow.

Maxing Your Disk

The disks that store information permanently have true physical limitations beyond which even the
most powerful processor can’t venture. Of all the possible CAD bottlenecks, maxing out disk
usage has the fewest solutions.
The standard for rendering is most often a solid state drive, but by nature, solid state drives cost
more for less storage space. However, their speed is immensely superior to traditional hard disks,
and they are easier to keep defragmented.\

12
Source: Boxx, as at https://blog.boxx.com/2017/05/22/5-most-common-issues-that-are-slowing-down-your-
cad-workflow/, as on 17th November, 2019.

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Switch to solid-state drives, and when possible, try cloud solutions at least for temporary storage
of assets or any data to which you don’t need immediate access.

Using Old Software

CAD software is often purposefully built with limitations on the number of tasks it can perform at
one time. Even if your hardware has the power the software requires to perform a larger number
of tasks, the software won’t try to access that power if it is outdated.
The latest versions of CAD software and AutoCAD usually stay up-to-date with the most powerful
rendering solutions available. Make sure that every bit of your rendering hardware is working by
updating or upgrading your software.

Poor Networking
When using multiple machines to render, it’s imperative to keep communication between pieces
of hardware as open and fast as possible. Even if two infinitely powerful machines are working at
full capacity to render, your workflow will stop if they’re not properly networked.
Take the time and commit the resources to optimize your networking hardware to ensure you’re
not wasting processor power or RAM on a cheap networking system on which you decided to
skimp.

Not Optimizing Memory Use

When you push the limits of your RAM storage and speed, the rate at which additional tasks feed
to the CPU slows significantly. Once memory maxes out, the only place for data to go is into your
HDD or SSD, which can snowball into rendering freezes.
Once your RAM is no longer pushing tasks to the CPU at a normal rate, the power of your
processor becomes largely wasted. It will only process the slow feed of information from the RAM
without performing any other tasks. If you must continue to render at capacity, consider adding
more RAM or exchanging your RAM for something faster.

Overloading the Processor

Just like RAM, the CPU can become overloaded as well. When it runs at over 80% of capacity or its
queue becomes too long, it will experience an inability to respond to requests for time, which can
break down your entire rendering process.
There are only a handful of solutions: simplify the amount of code that the processor has to
interpret, add more RAM to your system, or boost the power of your CPU. Don’t allow your CPU
to remain overloaded for an extended period or you may cause other rendering hardware to fail
simultaneously.

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Work Flow13

1. Getting Started

First, you have to be familiar with the interface. Of course.

AutoCAD Interface

AutoCAD interface now is easier for new users. I know many AutoCAD veterans hate ribbon and
other interface enhancements. But honestly new and occasional users say that they like the new
interface. Learn how you can access and activate drawing tools, modify tools, and any other tools.
If you already familiar with Windows application, then this won’t take too long. AutoCAD is a
Windows compliant software, so should taste the same.

Navigate the drawing

Now try to open any drawing. If you don’t have it, start with a sample file. I always teach this first:
navigation tools. Try to navigate through your drawing. Pan, zoom in, zoom out, and then zoom
extend. Get familiar with navigation tools. Then it will be easier for you later when you start to
learn how to draw.

Now you can start to create a new drawing and try to draw.

2. Drawing Tools

After you get familiar with AutoCAD interface and its navigation tools, now it’s time for you to
learn how to use drawing tools. I know some instructors teach students how to use each drawing
tools. But if you don’t get the concept, then you will forget it the next day. The next week at best.

13
Source: CAD Notes, as at https://www.cad-notes.com/a-simple-guide-12-steps-to-mastering-autocad/, as on
17th November, 2019.

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How AutoCAD tools work

Drawing tools are very easy to use. Most basic tools name describe what they do. Line tool will
draw a line; rectangle tool will draw a rectangle. Easy, right? What you have to understand is,
every tool might have a different way to be used. It’s difficult to remember all of the steps in each
tool. That’s what command line is for (or you can use dynamic input).

Command line is just like a road sign; it will guide you, so you don’t get lost. Try to activate a
drawing tool, like a line.

Command: _line Specify first point:

Specify next point or [Undo]:
Specify next point or [Undo]:
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:

After you activate the line tool, then AutoCAD will tell you what to do: specify the first point.

Define your point by clicking in the drawing area; then it will ask you again: Specify next point. Just
click anywhere in your drawing area, don’t worry about the size or precise coordinate yet.

Now let’s try for circle:

Command: ARC Specify start point of arc or [Center]: C

Specify center point of arc:
Specify start point of arc:
Specify end point of arc or [Angle/chord Length]:

After I activate circle, AutoCAD will tell me to specify a start point, and give an option: I can switch
from specifying a start point to a center point. This time, I type the capital letter in the option, C,
to specify the center point. Then AutoCAD asks me for the center point, start point, then end
point consecutively.

Follow command line; then you should be OK. Even for you who have used AutoCAD for years,
you should be watching command line sometimes. Especially when you use a new version, try to
find if there is any new option there.

3. Precise Input

After you get familiar with using drawing tool, then now you should get familiar with coordinate
input. Precision is one of the advantages of using CAD. And your drawing is useless if it’s not
precise.

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At this time you will learn about global and relative coordinate, then snap tools. After finishing this
step, you will be able to draw precisely.

4. Modify Tools

Next step: modify tools. There are many modify tools. But same as drawing tools, the name
should describe what they do. Or at least the icon will describe more. You can just let your pointer
above the icon, and let the help tooltip expand and explain more.

You can also try to activate the tool, then press F1. It will open help file with the related topic.
Many Windows users don’t realize this. They open then search the help file. And sometimes can’t
find what they are looking for.

The Same rule applies here: keep watching the command line!

5. Object Selection

After you playing with the modify tools, now you should learn about object selection. You will
need to select objects when you modify or manipulate them. Selecting one object is peace of
cake. But if you have also need to modify drawing then you should learn more tricks.

You can use noun-verb or verb-noun selection to modify objects. But (I think) the default is verb-
noun selection, contrary to Windows default: noun-verb selection.

6. Annotation and Styles

Ok, now you can draw, you can modify your drawings. Next step: creating annotations and
understand using styles.

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What is annotation? Everything in your drawing that’s not categorized as geometry. It can be text,
hatches, dimensions, tables, etc. Using annotation tools should be easy, after what you’ve been
through from step 1-5.

The problem in this step might be setting up the annotation styles and scales. Styles are used to
defining how your annotation will look like. There are a lot of option in styles, but what usually
confusing is options related to the scale. What size I should create my text, so I can read it clearly
when it’s plotted? What size are my dimension arrows should be set?

Thanks to Autodesk, now you can set this comfortably using annotation scale.

If you work in a company that has to establish a drawing standard, you might not need to set
styles anymore. Just use a template that already has all the styles, then use it.

7. Drawing Management

After learning AutoCAD from step 1-6, you should already be able to draw with AutoCAD.

Now you need to get to be more productive. Remember, drawing with AutoCAD is not just about
how fast you can finish the drawing. But your drawing also needs to be easy to be modified. Not
only by you, but also by your team member. You need to manage your drawing and objects
inside it.

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In this step, you will learn about layers, layout, and may be sheet sets if you want to go further.

8. Reusable Content

If you see an AutoCAD drawing, many objects are repetitive. You can see symbols, standard parts,
common objects and much more. Yes, you can copy it multiple times, but we want to be more
productive.

Block is crucial to help you working with repetitive objects. Not only it’s reusable, but block
definition allows you to update all instance in your drawing.

If you want to go further, blocks also allow you to add attributes as block ID. And block allows you
to report any block’s properties. You can create schedule easily. Or report multiple points
coordinate.

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9. Manage your Standard

Everybody have a standard in their drawing, and even you don’t realize it. It is a good practice to
have them compiled in your templates. Furthermore, to maintain your standard, you can use CAD
standard. You can also have your reusable content to manage your drawings standard.

Having standard will be easier for you and everybody who is working with you. And you will
become more productive after implementing your standard.

10. Design Collaboration

You will collaborate with the others for sure. You might have to work with your partners in your
company. It’s a waste of time if they have to wait until you finish, close your file, then they
continue your drawings. Or worse, they copy your files and work separately with you. It’s difficult
to track changes if you do this.

You can work simultaneously with your partners if you divide your design into separates files, then
use reference or underlay. Because they are separate files, each of them can be opened by a
different person. To separate file will also keep your files simple, avoiding you from the killing ‘fatal
error’ message. The more complicated your file, the more chances it will get corrupted.

11. Develop Your Workflow

After using AutoCAD for a while, you will be able to develop your workflow. It will suit you, and
you will become more productive. Don’t stop at what your instructor teach you; there are always
new things to learn.

Examine requirements for presentation of drawings

One of the best ways to communicate one's ideas is through some form of picture or drawing.
This is especially true for the engineer. The purpose of this guide is to give you the basics of
engineering sketching and drawing14.

We will treat "sketching" and "drawing" as one. "Sketching" generally means freehand drawing.
"Drawing" usually means using drawing instruments, from compasses to computers to bring
precision to the drawings.

This is just an introduction. Don't worry about understanding every detail right now - just get a
general feel for the language of graphics.

14
Source: MIT, as at https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mechanical-engineering/2-007-design-and-manufacturing-i-
spring-2009/related-resources/drawing_and_sketching/, as on 16th November, 2019.

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We hope you like the object in Figure 1, because you'll be seeing a lot of it. Before we get started
on any technical drawings, let's get a good look at this strange block from several angles.

Figure 1 - A Machined Block.

Isometric Drawing

The representation of the object in figure 2 is called an isometric drawing. This is one of a family
of three-dimensional views called pictorial drawings. In an isometric drawing, the object's vertical
lines are drawn vertically, and the horizontal lines in the width and depth planes are shown at 30
degrees to the horizontal. When drawn under these guidelines, the lines parallel to these three
axes are at their true (scale) lengths. Lines that are not parallel to these axes will not be of their
true length.

Figure 2 - An Isometric Drawing.

Any engineering drawing should show everything: a complete understanding of the object should
be possible from the drawing. If the isometric drawing can show all details and all dimensions on
one drawing, it is ideal. One can pack a great deal of information into an isometric drawing.
However, if the object in figure 2 had a hole on the back side, it would not be visible using a single
isometric drawing. In order to get a more complete view of the object, an orthographic projection
may be used.

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Orthographic or Multiview Drawing

Imagine that you have an object suspended by transparent threads inside a glass box, as in figure
3.

Figure 3 - The block suspended in a glass box.

Then draw the object on each of three faces as seen from that direction. Unfold the box (figure 4)
and you have the three views. We call this an "orthographic" or "multiview" drawing.

Figure 4 - The creation of an orthographic multiview drawing.

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Figure 5 - A multiview drawing and its explanation.

Which views should one choose for a multiview drawing? The views that reveal every detail about
the object. Three views are not always necessary; we need only as many views as are required to
describe the object fully. For example, some objects need only two views, while others need four.
The circular object in figure 6 requires only two views.

Figure 6 - An object needing only two orthogonal views.

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Dimensioning

Figure 7 - An isometric view with dimensions.

We have "dimensioned" the object in the isometric drawing in figure 7. As a general guideline to
dimensioning, try to think that you would make an object and dimension it in the most useful way.
Put in exactly as many dimensions as are necessary for the craftsperson to make it -no more, no
less. Do not put in redundant dimensions. Not only will these clutter the drawing, but if
"tolerances" or accuracy levels have been included, the redundant dimensions often lead to
conflicts when the tolerance allowances can be added in different ways.

Repeatedly measuring from one point to another will lead to inaccuracies. It is often better to
measure from one end to various points. This gives the dimensions a reference standard. It is
helpful to choose the placement of the dimension in the order in which a machinist would create
the part. This convention may take some experience.

Sectioning

There are many times when the interior details of an object cannot be seen from the outside
(figure 8).

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Figure 8 - An isometric drawing that does not show all details.

We can get around this by pretending to cut the object on a plane and showing the "sectional
view". The sectional view is applicable to objects like engine blocks, where the interior details are
intricate and would be very difficult to understand through the use of "hidden" lines (hidden lines
are, by convention, dotted) on an orthographic or isometric drawing.

Imagine slicing the object in the middle (figure 9):

Figure 9 - "Sectioning" an object.

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Figure 10 - Sectioning the object in figure 8.

Take away the front half (figure 10) and what you have is a full section view (figure 11).

Figure 11 - Sectioned isometric and orthogonal views.

The cross-section looks like figure 11 when it is viewed from straight ahead.

Drawing Tools

To prepare a drawing, one can use manual drafting instruments (figure 12) or computer-aided
drafting or design, or CAD. The basic drawing standards and conventions are the same regardless
of what design tool you use to make the drawings. In learning drafting, we will approach it from
the perspective of manual drafting. If the drawing is made without either instruments or CAD, it is
called a freehand sketch.

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Figure 12 - Drawing Tools.

"Assembly" Drawings

An isometric view of an "assembled" pillow-block bearing system is shown in figure 13. It

corresponds closely to what you actually see when viewing the object from a particular angle. We
cannot tell what the inside of the part looks like from this view.

We can also show isometric views of the pillow-block being taken apart or "disassembled" (figure
14). This allows you to see the inner components of the bearing system. Isometric drawings can
show overall arrangement clearly, but not the details and the dimensions.

Figure 13 - Pillow-block (Freehand sketch).

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Figure 14 - Disassembled Pillow-block.

Cross-Sectional Views

A cross-sectional view portrays a cut-away portion of the object and is another way to show
hidden components in a device.

Imagine a plane that cuts vertically through the center of the pillow block as shown in figure 15.
Then imagine removing the material from the front of this plane, as shown in figure 16.

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Figure 15 - Pillow Block.

Figure 16 - Pillow Block.

This is how the remaining rear section would look. Diagonal lines (cross-hatches) show regions
where materials have been cut by the cutting plane.

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Figure 17 - Section "A-A".

This cross-sectional view (section A-A, figure 17), one that is orthogonal to the viewing direction,
shows the relationships of lengths and diameters better. These drawings are easier to make than
isometric drawings. Seasoned engineers can interpret orthogonal drawings without needing an
isometric drawing, but this takes a bit of practice.

The top "outside" view of the bearing is shown in figure 18. It is an orthogonal (perpendicular)
projection. Notice the direction of the arrows for the "A-A" cutting plane.

Figure 18 - The top "outside" view of the bearing.

Half-Sections

A half-section is a view of an object showing one-half of the view in section, as in figure 19 and 20.

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Figure 19 - Full and sectioned isometric views.

Figure 20 - Front view and half section.

The diagonal lines on the section drawing are used to indicate the area that has been theoretically
cut. These lines are called section lining or cross-hatching. The lines are thin and are usually drawn
at a 45-degree angle to the major outline of the object. The spacing between lines should be
uniform.

A second, rarer, use of cross-hatching is to indicate the material of the object. One form of cross-
hatching may be used for cast iron, another for bronze, and so forth. More usually, the type of
material is indicated elsewhere on the drawing, making the use of different types of cross-
hatching unnecessary.

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Figure 21 - Half section without hidden lines.

Usually hidden (dotted) lines are not used on the cross-section unless they are needed for
dimensioning purposes. Also, some hidden lines on the non-sectioned part of the drawings are
not needed (figure 12) since they become redundant information and may clutter the drawing.

Sectioning Objects with Holes, Ribs, Etc.

The cross-section on the right of figure 22 is technically correct. However, the convention in a
drawing is to show the view on the left as the preferred method for sectioning this type of object.

Figure 22 - Cross section.

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Dimensioning

The purpose of dimensioning is to provide a clear and complete description of an object. A

complete set of dimensions will permit only one interpretation needed to construct the part.
Dimensioning should follow these guidelines.

1. Accuracy: correct values must be given.

2. Clearness: dimensions must be placed in appropriate positions.
3. Completeness: nothing must be left out, and nothing duplicated.
4. Readability: the appropriate line quality must be used for legibility.

The Basics: Definitions and Dimensions

The dimension line is a thin line, broken in the middle to allow the placement of the dimension
value, with arrowheads at each end (figure 23).

Figure 23 - Dimensioned Drawing.

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An arrowhead is approximately 3 mm long and 1 mm wide. That is, the length is roughly three
times the width. An extension line extends a line on the object to the dimension line. The first
dimension line should be approximately 12 mm (0.6 in) from the object. Extension lines begin 1.5
mm from the object and extend 3 mm from the last dimension line.

A leader is a thin line used to connect a dimension with a particular area (figure 24).

Figure 24 - Example drawing with a leader.

A leader may also be used to indicate a note or comment about a specific area. When there is
limited space, a heavy black dot may be substituted for the arrows, as in figure 23. Also in this
drawing, two holes are identical, allowing the "2x" notation to be used and the dimension to point
to only one of the circles.

Where To Put Dimensions

The dimensions should be placed on the face that describes the feature most clearly. Examples of
appropriate and inappropriate placing of dimensions are shown in figure 25.

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Figure 25 - Example of appropriate and inappropriate dimensioning.

In order to get the feel of what dimensioning is all about, we can start with a simple rectangular
block. With this simple object, only three dimensions are needed to describe it completely (figure
26). There is little choice on where to put its dimensions.

Figure 26 - Simple Object.

We have to make some choices when we dimension a block with a notch or cutout (figure 27). It is
usually best to dimension from a common line or surface. This can be called the datum line of
surface. This eliminates the addition of measurement or machining inaccuracies that would come
from "chain" or "series" dimensioning. Notice how the dimensions originate on the datum
surfaces. We chose one datum surface in figure 27, and another in figure 28. As long as we are
consistent, it makes no difference. (We are just showing the top view).

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Figure 27 - Surface datum example.

Figure 28 - Surface datum example.

In figure 29 we have shown a hole that we have chosen to dimension on the left side of the
object. The Ø stands for "diameter".

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Figure 29 - Exampled of a dimensioned hole.

When the left side of the block is "radiuses" as in figure 30, we break our rule that we should not
duplicate dimensions. The total length is known because the radius of the curve on the left side is
given. Then, for clarity, we add the overall length of 60 and we note that it is a reference (REF)
dimension. This means that it is not really required.

Figure 30 - Example of a directly dimensioned hole.

Somewhere on the paper, usually the bottom, there should be placed information on what
measuring system is being used (e.g. inches and millimeters) and also the scale of the drawing.

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Figure 31 - Example of a directly dimensioned hole.

This drawing is symmetric about the horizontal centerline. Centerlines (chain-dotted) are used for
symmetric objects, and also for the center of circles and holes. We can dimension directly to the
centerline, as in figure 31. In some cases this method can be clearer than just dimensioning
between surfaces.

Activity 5

Identify each drawing type shown below:

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Activity 5

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Activity 5

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Activity 5

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 Activity 5

Describe types of CAD software used for detail drafting, their key features
and suitability for producing specific drawing outcomes

CAD stands for "Computer-Aided Design." CAD is the use of computers to create 2D and 3D
designs. Common types of CAD include two-dimensional layout design and three-dimensional
modelling15.

2D CAD has many applications, but it is commonly used to design vector-based layouts. For
example, architects may use CAD software to create overhead views of building floor plans and
outdoor landscapes. These layouts, which contain vector graphics, can be scaled to different sizes,
which may be used for proposals or blueprints. 2D CAD also includes drawings, such as sketches
and mockups, which are common at the beginning of the design process.

15
Source: tech Terms, as at https://techterms.com/definition/cad, as on 17th November, 2019.

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3D CAD is commonly used in developing video games and animated films. It also has several real-
world applications, such as product design, civil engineering, and simulation modelling. 3D CAD
includes computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), which involves the actual manufacturing of three-
dimensional objects.

Like 2D CAD drawings, 3D models are typically vector-based, but the vectors include three
dimensions, rather than two. This allows designers to create complex 3D shapes that can be
moved, rotated, enlarged, and modified. Some 3D models are created exclusively of polygons,
while others may include Bézier curves and other rounded surfaces.

When creating a 3D model, a CAD designer may first construct the basic shape of the object, or
"wireframe." Once the shape is complete, surfaces can be added that may include colours,
gradients, or designs that can be applied using a process called texture mapping. Many CAD
programs include the ability to adjust lighting, which affects the shadows and reflections of the
object. Some programs also include a timeline that can be used to create 3D animations.

Drafting in AutoCAD16

Drafting is a term that refers to creating technical drawings that communicate how something is
constructed or functions.

A person who works on drafting is called a drafter. An AutoCAD drafter makes plans to create
almost anything, from microchips and toys to appliances and spaceships. After they are drafted,
the plans are handed off to a construction or production team.

Drafting is different than a visual drawing such as art because drafting is intended to have one
particular meaning, which is made clear with symbols and measurements. In contrast, visual
drawing is open to interpretation.

While sketching and diagramming can both be considered drafting, AutoCAD software makes
these ideas more clear and turns them into sophisticated models in either 2-D or 3-D.

AutoCAD drafts may be used by:

• Architects
• Civil engineers
• Mechanical engineers
• Structural engineers

Many industries use plans created by AutoCAD drafters including:

• Architecture
• Engineering
• Electronics

16
Source: SCI Training, as at https://blog.scitraining.com/what-is-drafting-in-autocad/, as on 19th November,
2019.

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 • Computer products
• Manufacturing
• Construction

Types of CAD Software

Computer Aided Design (or Drafting), also known as CAD, is a design tool that employs
computers to create drawings and models of products while they are in the process of being
created. CAD was first created in the early 1960s and today is used to design almost every product
on the market in the world. Many types of CAD exist for different applications, and anyone
interested in how products are designed may be interested in learning more17.

2D CAD

Two-dimensional, or 2D, CAD is used to create flat drawings of products and structures. Objects
created in 2D CAD are made up of lines, circles, ovals, slots and curves. 2D CAD programs usually
include a library of geometric images; the ability to create Bezier curves, splines and polylines; the
ability to define hatching patterns; and the ability to provide a bill of materials generation. Among
the most popular 2D CAD programs are AutoCAD, CADkey, CADDS 5, CATIA v4 and Medusa.

2.5 D CAD

In between 2D and 3D CAD is 2.5-D CAD. The models created in this type of CAD are prismatic,
that is, they represent the depth of the objects. Like 2D CAD, these objects are made up of
geometric objects.

3D CAD

Three-dimensional (3D) CAD programs come in a wide variety of types, intended for different
applications and levels of detail. Overall, 3D CAD programs create a realistic model of what the
design object will look like, allowing designers to solve potential problems earlier and with lower
production costs. Some 3D CAD programs include Autodesk Inventor, CoCreate Solid Designer,
Pro/Engineer SolidEdge, SolidWorks, Unigraphics NX and VX CAD.

2D and 3D CAD software18

General-purpose CAD software includes a wide range of 2D and 3D software. Before delving
into the more specific types of CAD software, it’s important to understand the difference
between 2D and 3D CAD and the various industries that leverage them.

2D CAD software offers a platform to design in two dimensions. Since 2D CAD does not allow

17
Source: Techwalla, as at https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-convert-photoshop-to-dxf, as on 17th
November, 2019.
18
Source: Learn G2, as at https://learn.g2.com/what-is-cad, as on 17th November, 2019.

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for the creation of perspectives or scale, it is often used for drawing, sketching and drafting
conceptual designs. 2D CAD is often used for floor plan development, building permit drawing
and building inspection planning. Since it is mainly used as a tool for conceptual design, it is
also a great starting point for most 3D designs. This gives users a basic overview of dimension
and scale before they move on to 3D design. 2D CAD typically runs at a significantly lower price
since it does not provide the same scale of tools and breadth of features.

Image courtesy of YouTube

3D CAD provides a platform for designing 3D objects. The main feature of this type of CAD
software is 3D solid modeling. This lets designers create objects with length, width and height,
allowing more accurate scaling and visualization. With this feature, users can push and pull
surfaces and manipulate designs to adjust measurements. Once the 3D design is to your liking,
you can transfer it to a 3D rendering software and place the designs in fully realized 3D
landscapes. In the example below, 3D rendering allows the designer to place the house design
on an empty lot to help visualize what it would look like in a suburb. Some 3D rendering
functionalities allow users to add effects such as lighting and texture.

Engineers, architects, interior designers and machine production designers are all professions
that use 3D CAD on a consistent basis. Most 3D CAD solutions have industry-specific
functionality for designing bridges, roads, tunnels and other structures. Evaluating your needs
regarding specific tools and features is key when deciding on a particular 3D CAD solution.

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 Image courtesy of Steam

BIM software

One of the more specific types of 3D CAD software is building information modelling software,
also known as BIM software. BIM software is intended to aid in the design and construction of
buildings specifically. BIM software provides users with the ability to break down building parts
and see how they fit into a single finalized structure. Users can isolate walls, columns, windows,
doors, etc., and alter the design. Engineers, architect, and manufacturers are just some of the
professionals that use BIM software on a regular basis.

Image courtesy of ArchiExpo

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 Civil engineering design software

Civil engineering design software allows users to design 3D models of municipal buildings and
structures. This includes tools for railway modelling, highway design and city infrastructure
planning. Similar to BIM, civil engineering design software helps in every stage of the design
process by breaking it down to drafting, designing and visualizing the final product. This
software also helps designers determine building costs. Civil engineering design software is
perfect for engineers working in public and civil departments including transportation, structural
and geotech.

3D printing software

3D printing software facilitates the printing of real-life 3D objects. When users design an object,
it can be translated into a 3D printing software. The software then relays instructions on how to
print that design to an actual 3D printer. The 3D printing software sends instructions to just
print out certain parts of an object, or it can print out the entirety of an object. Some CAD
software doubles as 3D printing software so you can seamlessly produce actual 3D objects all
from one platform. 3D printing software can be used by manufacturers and architects to build
machine or building parts. This greatly reduces production costs, as manufacturers no longer
need offsite locations for manufacturing. It also gives companies a rapid test drive to see how a
product would look if it were mass produced.

3D Wireframe and Surface Modelling

CAD programs that feature 3D wireframe and surface modelling create a skeleton-like inner
structure of the object being modelled. A surface is added on later. These types of CAD models
are difficult to translate into other software and are therefore rarely used anymore.

Solid Modelling

Solid modelling in general is useful because the program is often able to calculate the dimensions
of the object it is creating. Many sub-types of this exist. Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) CAD
uses the same basic logic as 2D CAD, that is, it uses prepared solid geometric objects to create an
object. However, these types of CAD software often cannot be adjusted once they are created.
Boundary Representation (Brep) solid modelling takes CSG images and links them together.
Hybrid systems mix CSG and Brep to achieve desired designs.

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CAD Software19

A wide range of CAD software exists with different packages available for a number of different
industries. The most common of these are presented in Table 1.

Table 1 – Common industry CAD software programs.

Software Description Common File

Type
Solidworks - Industry standard .sldprt
engineering software used for part and .sldasmslddrw
assembly modeling, includes simulation
features as well as drawing and
assembly tools.
AutoCAD - Autodesk AutoCAD, a .dwt .dwg
software package for 2D and 3D CAD,
has been used since 1982! AutoCAD is
used across a wide range of industries,
by architects, project managers,
engineers, graphic designers, and many
other professionals.
Inventor - Inventor has very similar .ipt .iam .idw
features to Solidworks, with professional
3D mechanical design, drawing tools,
and product simulation tools.
Fusion 360 - Autodesk Fusion 360 is .f3d
gaining a lot of popularity with
engineers and designers. It is similar to
Solidworks, with the addition of
integrated manufacturing tools and
sculpting tools. It is also available for
free for students, enthusiasts, hobbyists,
and startups.
Sketchup - Entry level software which is .skp
easy to use but with basic features.
Mainly used for applications such as
architectural models & interior design.
Solid Edge - Solid Edge provides solid .prt .asm
modeling, assembly modelling and 2D
orthographic view functionality for
mechanical designers. Solid Edge is a
direct competitor to SolidWorks, PTC
Creo, and Autodesk Inventor.

19
Source: 3D Hub, as at https://www.3dhubs.com/knowledge-base/3d-modeling-cad-software/, as on 17th
November, 2019.

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 Creo - PTC Creo is a suite of design .prt .asm
software with a focus on product design
for discrete manufacturers. The suite
consists of apps, each delivering a
distinct set of capabilities within product
development.
Onshape - Onshape is a full internet Cloud Only
based CAD software package. It makes
extensive use of cloud computing, with
compute-intensive processing and
rendering performed on Internet-based
servers.
Rhino - Multi-use, free form surface .3dm
modeler for engineering, architecture
and jewelry design.

ZBrush - ZBrush is a digital sculpting .obj

tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling,
texturing and painting. The main
difference between ZBrush and more
traditional modeling packages is that it
is more akin to sculpting.
3ds Max - Autodesk 3ds Max is a .3ds .max
professional 3D computer graphics
program for making 3D animations,
models, games and images.

All of the CAD programs shown in Table 1 are able to output STL or OBJ files for 3D printing or
STEP and IGES for CNC manufacturing.

Industry Data

A survey sent out by 3D Hubs to over 750 professional customers asked designers and engineers
which CAD software they are currently using. The results ares presented in Figure 5 and Figure 6.

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Figure 5 – Survey results on CAD software used by engineers.

Figure 6 – Survey results on CAD software used by designers.

The survey found that the majority of engineers and designers use Solidworks for CAD design.
Engineers then preferred AutoCAD, Inventor, and Fusion 360 (the only free professional CAD
software package on the list) while Rhino proved to be the second most popular modelling tool
for designers. As an interesting note, Rhino did not appear on the list for engineers even though it
ranked highly for designers.

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Activity 6

Select and research one CAD software. Create a list of its features and outline applications for
the software.

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 Activity 6

Identify differences in CAD process to generate 2-D drawings and 3-D

models, and reasons for each presentation

Limitations of 2D CAD

There are a lot of reasons to ditch 2D CAD, and I thought I’d go over just a few20.

Complicates Checking Processes

2D drawings aren’t able to capture the complexities of product design. They don’t take into
account assembly and fit. Products that are created from a 2D sketch require a lot of work, as
there are bound to be more errors. If products are created by numerous people, the checking
process gets even more colluded. The drawings are forced to go back and forth over and over
until finally, after laborious hours, the process is done.

20
Source: CAD Crowd, as at https://www.cadcrowd.com/blog/2d-vs-3d-cad/, as on 17th November, 2019.

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2D Design Requires Prototypes

3D models communicate a lot of information regarding fit and potential issues. Because 2D
drawings can’t adequately display that information, they are forced into physical prototyping. In
the case of a 2D drawing, the only way you can spot problems is to create the prototype, tear it
down, and rebuild. This prolongs the product development cycle dramatically as you’re forced to
include reworks and re-engineering of prototypes.

Design Changes are Difficult

Making changes in designs is a time-consuming process, and it’s even more tedious for 2D
designs. Designs may need to be recreated numerous times in different views to capture all the
details of a single part. When changes do happen, they need to be reflected in all of the drawing
views, requiring the designer to recreate numerous drawings. As you can tell, this is entirely
unnecessary when, for example, 3D CAD models are quick to make an easy to edit, all in one file.

You can see just how much time 2D CAD adds to the manufacturing cycle. With that said, here
are some of the benefits you can gain from using 3D CAD software.

The Benefits of 3D CAD Software

Utilizing New Product Design Technologies like 3D Printing

If you want to take advantage of all the latest developments in product design, you’re going to
need to keep up with the trends. 3D models allow you to utilize 3D printing and rapid prototypes.

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Rapid prototypes are working models of a part that is used to evaluate designs before they go
into manufacturing. They can be created using 3D printing or stereolithography and are usually
not made of the same material that would be used in the final product, though they are
functional. If you were using 2D drawings, you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of this
technology unless you created a 3D model first, which would be an unnecessary extra step.

Speed Up Approvals

It can be hard to get non-professionals to understand a 2D drawing, and this can create major
hurdles in the approval process. It’s compounded when the design is complex, causing the
approval process to be unnecessarily long and challenging. With 3D models, the approval process
is quick, as a 3D, photorealistic rendering is able to communicate a lot of information—enough
for the layperson to understand the design completely. This is important for all industries including
MedTech, the automotive and transit industry, and electronics.

Makes Design Changes Quick and Easy

Making design changes in 2D is arduous. If you’re working in 3D, it’s extremely simple to make
design changes. You can alter any part of a 3D model through the software, eliminating the need
to draw and redraw various angles and parts. Not only does it completely speed up the process,
but it eliminates the opportunity to introduce errors, which are plentiful in 2D drawings.

Visualization

2D drawings don’t really provide you with an ample view of a product. You aren’t able to see how
the design will move in real time, so you won’t catch problems with the design and fits that you
would see in a 3D design. 3D modeling software allows you to view a design from every angle
and visualize how it would perform in the real world.

Photorealistic Renderings and Animations

In 2D, you can’t create images that are realistic and captivating enough to use as marketing
materials or to display how a concept functions in the real world. 3D modeling software allows

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individuals to create photorealistic renderings of their product designs that look good enough to
be published in a magazine.

You can also create CAD animations to demonstrate how your design will perform in real life
using programs like SolidWorks and AutoCAD. This can save you a lot of time in the design cycle
as you’re easily able to show clients and bosses how the design functions and evaluate how
certain parts work together.

Create Excellent Proposals

If you’re submitting proposals for projects, you can’t expect your 2D design to compete with 3D
models and animations. Clients largely prefer proposals in 3D and many don’t accept 2D at all. Of
course, there is the potential that your 2D design is miles ahead of the competition, but in a tight
race, you’ll miss out. Realistically, 3D CAD is only going to keep improving, and the gap between
the two will be unsurpassable. It’s best to get ahead now.

Optimize Performance of Designs

With 3D models, you can run analyses on your models to see how a design would function given
certain parameters. In this way, you can optimize the performance of your design. 2D drawings
simply can’t do this and would have to be turned into a 3D CAD model first.

Collaborate

3D models lend themselves to collaboration, as non-technical individuals will be able to more

easily understand the design than if it were in 2D. Marketing and sales departments can leverage
3D models, photorealistic renderings, animations, and rapid prototyping for marketing
endeavours and sales purposes.

Autocad vs Inventor

Difference between Autocad vs Inventor21

AutoCAD is a heavyweight design production platform with post-development features.

Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was initially released in 1982 as a desktop app
running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. The latest version of AutoCAD was
released as AutoCAD 360 that supports mobile and web also. Used by a wide range of industries,
by project managers, engineers, architects, town planners, and many other professionals. The
beauty of Inventor is that it allows the user to blend the 2D and 3D data into a single
environment, that creates a virtual presentation of the output product that helps the user to
validate the form, fit and function of the product before it is ever built. An inventor is developed
on a dimension-driven design. Drawing any shape or object is simpler using the inventor.

21
Source: Educba, as at https://www.educba.com/autocad-vs-inventor/, as on 17th November, 2019.

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Head To Head Comparison Between Autocad vs Inventor (Infographics)

Below are the top 6 differences between Autocad vs Inventor

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Key differences between Autocad vs Inventor

Both Autocad vs Inventor are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major
Differences Between Autocad vs Inventor:

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 • AutoCAD is difficult to use and adapt due to the generic domain while Inventor is easy to
use due to industry specificity.
• AutoCAD works based on designing and discovering new items while Inventor targets
users who want to test something in motion. For example, AutoCAD is used to design the
robotic machine while Inventor can be used to imitate how that machine would move
when used.
• Since AutoCAD is used for designing and drafting, it is more used than Inventor as it
ensures the right materials used before any tests.
• If the user needs to work with a technical aspect of a program or device, then using
Inventor would be perfect than using AutoCAD.
• Inventor incorporated 3D modeling features by default, while AutoCAD lacks in these
since it was primarily a 2D software and later it adapted 3D modules.
• An inventor is visually and technically user-friendly software, as compared to AutoCAD.
• AutoCAD is not a very smart program in comparison to Inventor. The user must draw lines
all over again if anything he wants to change or move in the drawing later.
• An inventor can distinguish between assemblies, parts and 2D drawing, unlike AutoCAD.
• The inventor can update the existing geometry based on the updates within the base part
of the geometry. While this base -part proportionality is not available in AutoCAD.
• AutoCAD is a gigantic design production application with features like cross sectioning,
artificial lighting based-renders and panoramic rendering for virtual walkthroughs. While
the Inventor is, an application used after the designs are manufactured.
• As the user creates 3D parts like chamfer, hole, fillet all are stored as independent features
in Inventor. While in AutoCAD, the user finds it difficult and they must delete and re-create
the specific feature.
• The inventor was created for primarily the Manufacturing company. While AutoCAD was
made for a larger audience. It was designed for Civil, Plant Design, FM, AEC and more.
• An inventor does not use layers. That means, it sets up all the parameters once and then
automatically assigns them to the parts from that point. While it is a troublesome task to
use layers in AutoCAD.
• Inventor allows the user to use any specific file formats or individual parts and assemblies.
It has an amazing geometry-based engine designed to ensure that all readouts and
analysis reports are generated in real time.
• Since AutoCAD came a much before, people are more drifted towards AutoCAD.
Inventor, on the other hand, was introduced much later.
• An inventor is much more like a practical demo giving software where the user gets to
know how his designs are working in motion. While AutoCAD is more for creating new
models out of imagination.
• Inventor being the latest amongst the two has the shortest learning curve, gives speedy
results, has a very attractive workflow and interface, while AutoCAD is no less than it, but
still, it lacks in some features.

AutoCAD vs Inventor Comparison Table

Let’s look at the top comparison between AutoCAD vs Inventor; –

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 The basis of comparison of AutoCAD
AutoCAD vs Inventor
Definition 2D drafting software that can
also create 3D objects
Usage It is used by any designer who
works on 2D or 3D designing
or drafting
Design It is a Geometry-driven
software
Compatible File formats It uses only DWG file type
Specialty It’s mostly used for 2D
designing and documentation
Characteristics • It came a much earlier
so, it has a larger
audience and
industries
• It is used for general
purpose.
• AutoCAD allows the
user to upload a
diagram or any
drawing and edit it in
real-time while sharing
it with other people
• In AutoCAD, the users
can review their
drawings from any
angle they wish, since
the design process in
AutoCAD is fully
three-dimensional.
• AutoCAD especially
aids the users to revise
the diagram of
prototypes and makes
it very simple for them
to share info in real
time.
AutoCAD vs Inventor is two programs that differ in the way of what they can do. Moreover,
if Autocad vs Inventor is paired together then it will be easier for any business to do more with
respect to designing different items and using them in the workplace. Overall, the Inventor is a
better choice when it comes to 3D drawing. An application for 3D mechanical design, simulation,
Inventor
It is based on only 3D objects.
It is used by developers or
designers who are specialist in
manufacturing
It is a Dimension- driven
software
It uses IPT, IAM, IDW, IPN file
types.
It’s mostly used for 2D/3D
designing and production.
• It came a much later
and hence it targets
smaller audience, but
still the latest ones.
• It operates with its
own motion
simulation feature
• When used right, it
can create a better
design that is very
simple for the user to
use and control,
without worrying
about the editing part.
• An inventor doesn’t
use layers, or a
command line, or a
UCSISON.
• It is a much user-
friendly software
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visualization and documentation invented by Autodesk in the year 1999 is Autodesk Inventor. It is
a CAD software whose sole responsibility is to help the post-design manufacturing process.

Where AutoCAD offers extreme control, Inventor offers the ease of use. AutoCAD offers pre-
production flexibility and unique designs; Inventor is all about post-development and
manufacturing potential.

2D to 3D Comparison22

Geometry driven vs. dimension driven design

2D AutoCAD
You create geometry and then place
dimensions. When you change existing
geometry, associated dimensions update.
3D Autodesk Inventor
You sketch a part and then control the exact
size and shape by changing the dimension
values. To change the length or height, you
change the dimension values. You manage
change within that sketch by modifying the
dimension values rather than modifying the
geometry.

UCS icon vs. 3D indicator

2D AutoCAD
The UCS icon helps you visualize the
orientation of the drawing plane. It provides a
movable coordinate system for coordinate
entry, planes of operation, and viewing. Most
AutoCAD geometric editing commands are
dependent on the location and orientation of
the UCS. Objects are drawn on the XY plane
of the current UCS.
3D Autodesk Inventor
A 3D indicator represents the X, Y, and Z axes.
The red arrow indicates the X direction; green
indicates Y; and blue indicates Z. However,
you do not need to rely on the 3D Indicator
much, and you do not need to define snap
and grid settings or origin points. You do not
need to use coordinates when you draw.

Constraints
2D AutoCAD
You do not use constraints or create
relationships between primitives-based
models. Changing one primitive has no impact
on another primitive.
3D Autodesk Inventor
When you have components to assemble, you
place constraints or "rules" on those
components to restrict their movement.
Autodesk Inventor has six different 3D
assembly constraints that determine how
components in your assembly fit together and
how they move: Mate, Angle, Tangent, Insert,
Rotation, and Rotation-translation.

22
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2015/ENU/Inventor-Fundamentals/files/GUID-00EA3D04-F52D-4556-
8A16-52CA53AAFEC4-htm.html, as on 17th November, 2019,

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File types
2D AutoCAD
You work with one file type: DWG. This DWG
file contains paper space, model space, 2D,
and 3D. You cannot separate your model
from your drawing, or work separately in 3D.
All components of your work exist in the same
file.
Dimensions
2D AutoCAD
To dimension in AutoCAD, you add
measurement annotations to a drawing. You
place these dimensions on a layer. Basic
dimensions in AutoCAD include linear, radial,
angular, ordinate, and arc length. You can also
create dimensions that are associative,
nonassociative, or exploded.
Views
2D AutoCAD
For each drawing, create each individual view
of your model. It can be tedious if you have
more than one view.
Boolean operations
2D AutoCAD
You have specific commands to create
Boolean operations between different solids
(union, subtract, intersect).
Reuse of data and external files
2D AutoCAD
To avoid file bloat and reuse recurring data
like library elements or standard parts, you
typically use blocks. Write them out to a file
(WBLOCK), and reuse them as external
references (XREFS).
Scale and mirror
2D AutoCAD
There are specific scale and mirror commands
that work on both 2D and 3D geometry.
3D Autodesk Inventor
You work with a minimum of four file types.
Multiple file types are advantageous because
you can work separately on a part, an
assembly, or in a drawing file. Multiple users
can work on the same design at the same
time. Any changes associate and update in all
other files.
3D Autodesk Inventor
You can place dimensions on layers when
used with drawings. There are four basic
dimension types that are used differently as
you design: model dimensions, reference
dimensions, sketch dimensions, and drawing
dimensions.
3D Autodesk Inventor
You can automatically generate all the
projected views for a model, including section,
auxiliary, and broken views.
3D Autodesk Inventor
You place the parts in an assembly, and then
derive the assembly into a single part, while
applying the Boolean operation of your
choice.
3D Autodesk Inventor
You typically set up a project file with a library
path and place existing part files and standard
files in an assembly. Autodesk Inventor
assemblies, by design, store little data into the
assembly file. Most of the data is stored in the
external part files.
3D Autodesk Inventor
The scale and mirror commands work on 2D
geometry. To scale or mirror a single 3D part,
you derive the part. You can also mirror
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 individual features or the entire 3D part
without using the Derive command.

Selection and grips

2D AutoCAD
You can window select both 2D/3D geometry
and use grips to stretch, move, rotate, mirror,
and scale.
3D Autodesk Inventor
You can window select 2D geometry and
select vertices and segments to move and
stretch geometry. To select 3D geometry you
use the "Component selection" command.
Because Autodesk Inventor has a model
browser, alternatively, you can select parts in
the browser. For operations like rotate, use the
dedicated command.

Styles and layers

2D AutoCAD
You have access to layers, text styles, and
dimension styles throughout the product.
3D Autodesk Inventor
Text styles, dimension styles, and layers are
available in the drawing environment. Material
appearance and light styles are available in
parts, assemblies, and presentations.

Activity 7

What is a 3-Dimensional drawing?

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Activity 7

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Steps to get started23

AutoCAD is a computer-aided drafting software program that enables the user to create precise
2- and 3-dimensional drawings used in construction and manufacturing. You can run the most-
recent version of AutoCAD on your Mac or PC. People who learn how to use AutoCAD can create
scaled drawings that are used to manufacture equipment, plan infrastructure projects, design
electrical circuitry, and build homes and commercial structures.

Steps

Decide what project you want to use AutoCAD for. AutoCAD programs cover a broad range of
applications. You can find specialized programs for your area of interest, including software
focusing on architectural, mechanical, civil, aeronautical or electrical drawing.

23
Source: WikiHow, as at https://www.wikihow.com/Use-AutoCAD, as on 17th November, 2019.

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Ensure that your computer meets the program's system requirements. AutoCAD requires the
following:

o 2 GB RAM
o 2 GB of space for installation
o Screen resolution of 1,024 X 768
o Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher

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Install the AutoCAD program. The process is a basic installation with step-by-step instructions
from the Installation Wizard. It takes about 30 minutes to complete. After installation the AutoCAD
icon will appear on your desktop. Double-click the icon whenever you want to start the program.

Familiarize yourself with how to navigate through AutoCAD. The workspace in AutoCAD is divided
into 2 distinct areas. The drawing area covers most of the screen and toolbars are anchored
above and below the drawing area. They include:

o Application button: The large, red A at the top, left-hand corner of the screen is
the application button. Use it to print files and to exit the program.
o Quick-access toolbar: This toolbar sits next to the application button and contains
common commands like "Save" and "Open."
o Ribbon: Located below the quick-access toolbar, the ribbon is comprised of a
series of tabs (e.g., "Home," "Insert," "Annotate," "View," etc.) that contain groups
of standard commands and tools.
o Status bar: The toolbar across the bottom of the screen is the status bar. It mostly
consists of control settings that allow you to monitor changes in the drawing.
o Command/prompt toolbar: Directly above the status bar is the command/prompt
toolbar. This is where the software communicates with you.

Create a new drawing. From the quick-access toolbar, click "File," and then "New." The new
drawing will use 1 of 2 default settings, either imperial or metric. If you want to use specific settings
for a drawing, select "Templates" under the Options dialog box. Several Draw a simple figure.

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Master simple techniques in AutoCAD and practice fundamental skills before moving on to
complex drawings. Start with an exercise like drawing a 4-inch horizontal line.

Locate the small gear icon at the bottom of the screen. This is the Workspace icon. Click it and
select "2D Drafting & Annotation."

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Click the Home icon on the left side of the ribbon.

Select the Line icon from the drop down menu.

Check the text in the command/prompt toolbar. It should show "Command: _ line Specify first
point."

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Move your mouse inside the drawing area. A + symbol should follow the mouse as you move it.

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Click the left mouse button near the center of the drawing area. This is the first point of the line.

Look for the text "Specify next point or [Undo]" in the command/prompt area.

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Type "@4<0" in the command/prompt area and hit enter twice.

Your 4-inch line is complete. In this example, @ denotes at the first starting point, 4 represents the
unit of measure, < stands for direction, and the number after it, in this case, 0, represents the
number of degrees from the horizontal axis. Drawing templates come with the program.

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Experiment with other drawing options. Learn to draw other shapes and figures like arcs and
rectangles, and master other important functions, like erase, change line types and add colours.

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Build on what you've learned. As you become proficient with AutoCAD, you'll be able to convert
lines into 2D surfaces, surfaces into 3D solids, add realistic material representations, and
manipulate light and shadows.

Save your drawing. Go back to the quick-access toolbar, click "Options," "Open" and "Save," and
then execute the desired command. To exit the program entirely, click the application button, slide
your cursor down to "Exit," and click.

The Command Window24

At the heart of the program is the Command window, which is normally docked at the bottom
of the application window. The Command window displays prompts, options, and messages.

You can enter commands directly in the Command window instead of using the ribbon,
toolbars, and menus. Many long-time users prefer this method.

Notice that as you start to type a command, it is completed automatically. When several

24
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/getting-
started/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-2AA12FC5-FBB2-4ABE-9024-
90D41FEB1AC3-htm.html, as on 17th November, 2019.

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possibilities are available such as in the example below, you can make your choice by clicking it
or using the arrow keys and then pressing Enter or the Spacebar.

The Mouse

Most people use a mouse as their pointing device, but other devices have equivalent controls.

Tip: When you look for an option, try right-clicking. Depending on where you locate your
cursor, different menus will display relevant commands and options.

New Drawings

You can easily conform to industry or company standards by specifying settings for text,
dimensions, linetypes, and several other features. For example, this backyard deck design
displays two different dimension styles.

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All these settings can be saved in a drawing template file. Click New to choose from several
drawing template files:

• For imperial drawings that assume your units are inches, use acad.dwt or acadlt.dwt.
• For metric units that assume your units are millimeters, use acadiso.dwt or acadltiso.dwt.

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The "Tutorial" template files in the list are simple examples for the architectural or mechanical
design disciplines with both imperial (i) and metric (m) versions. You might want to experiment
with them.

Most companies use drawing template files that conform to company standards. They will often
use different drawing template files depending on the project or the client.

Create Your Own Drawing Template File

You can save any drawing (.dwg) file as a drawing template (.dwt) file. You can also open any
existing drawing template file, modify it, and then save it again, with a different filename if
needed.

If you work independently, you can develop your drawing template files to suit your working
preferences, adding settings for additional features as you become familiar with them.

To modify an existing drawing template file, click Open, specify Drawing Template (*.dwt) in the
Select File dialog box, and choose the template file.

Important: If your company has already established a set of drawing template files, check with
your CAD manager before modifying any of them.

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Units

When you first start a drawing, you need to decide what the length of one unit represents—an
inch, a foot, a centimeter, a kilometer, or some other unit of length. For example, the objects
below could represent two buildings that are each 125 feet long, or they could represent a
section from a mechanical part that is measured in millimeters.

Unit Display Settings

After you decide what unit of length that you want to use, the UNITS command lets you control
several unit display settings including the following:

• Format (or Type). For example a decimal length of 6.5 can be set to display as a
fractional length of 6-1/2 instead.
• Precision. For example, a decimal length of 6.5 can be set to display as 6.50, 6.500, or
6.5000.

If you plan to work in feet and inches, use the UNITS command to set the unit type to
Architectural, and then when you create objects, specify their lengths in inches. If you plan to
use metric units, leave the unit type set to Decimal. Changing the unit format and precision
does not affect the internal precision of your drawing. It affects only how lengths, angles, and
coordinates are displayed in the user interface.

Tip: If you need to change the UNITS settings, make sure that you save the drawing as a
drawing template file. Otherwise, you will need to change the UNITS settings for each new
drawing.

Model Scale

Always create your models at full size (1:1 scale). The term model refers to the geometry of your
design. A drawing includes the model geometry along with the views, notes, dimensions,
callouts, tables, and the title block displayed in the layout.

You can specify the scaling that is necessary to print a drawing on a standard-sized sheet later,
when you create the layout.

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Drawing an object in AutoCAD25

Open a blank drawing file and let’s start playing.

Two simple steps

1 – Click on the white sheet on the left upper corner

2 – Click on Open

25
Source: Tutorial 45, as at https://tutorial45.com/autocad-tutorial-01-drawing-your-first-object/, as on 17th
November, 2019.

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You are now in the main window. Feel free to close the window on the left side (if you are working
on the same version as I do), it won’t be useful for now.

If you did close the left windows, the following image is what you should be left with.

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We are now set to start running.

Drawing a line in AutoCAD.

Not to go too fast, we are going to draw a line.

Google says that in analytic geometry, a line in the plane is often defined as the set of points whose
coordinates satisfy a given linear equation, but do not worry! we are not going to start talking
about equation and algebra here, I would like to deteriorate that definition a little to make it more
simple for us.

We will define a line here like a straight rope that need two points to hang itself on.

How will this definition help us here? It will help us remember that AutoCAD needs information
about the location of the two points to be able to draw a line, provided the fact that the line
command is activated.

A line

To draw a line in AutoCAD. follow the following.

1 – Activate the LINE command with a click on its appropriate icon.

2 – Click anywhere in the drawing area to tell AutoCAD where you want the first point to be

3 – Repeat the previous step after sliding the cursor away from the first point.

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4 – Press the ESC key on your keyboard to Cancel the command.

If you have more than a line to draw, you don’t have to start each by starting all over again. You
might have noticed that after step 3, AutoCAD was letting you draw another line considering its
beginning was at the end of the previously drawn line.

If you look at the object below, you will see that it has 3 points.

If we were to draw this (we do not care about dimensions and line inclinations for now), we will

1. Activate the Line command

2. Click to indicate the point 1
3. Click to indicate the point 2
4. Click to indicate the point 3
5. Click on point 1 again to close it
6. Press the ESC key

Identify differences in CAD process to generate single and multiple view

drawings, and reasons for each presentation

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Create views in your AutoCAD drawing26

Do you create large drawings? If so, you probably spend a lot of time panning and zooming.
Named views, which are pre-saved displays of part of your drawing, can help! A view can show
any area of your drawing at any zoom value.

For the purpose of this tip, I’ll stick to views that you save in model space, but you can save views
on a layout, too.

When you travel, you like to see beautiful views like the one shown here. AutoCAD views have
their own kind of beauty, because they help you draw and edit more quickly.

Create a named view

To create and save a named view, follow these steps:

1. Display the part of your drawing that you want to be able to return to. You’ll use the
ZOOM and PAN features to do this.
2. Choose View tab> Views panel> View Manager (the VIEW command) to open the View
Manager dialog box.
3. Click the New button to open the New View/Shot Properties dialog box.
4. Type a name for the view in the View Name text box.
5. The View Properties tab defaults to using the current display, but if you forgot to display
the right part of your drawing before you started, choose Define Window. You
immediately return to your drawing.
6. At the Specify first corner: prompt, click one corner of the view you want to save. At the
Specify opposite corner: prompt, click the diagonally opposite corner.
7. Press Enter to return to the dialog box.
8. Click OK.
9. Back in the View Manager, if you want to move to the new view (and you didn’t display it
at the beginning), click Set Current.
10. Click OK.

26
Source: All About CAD, as at https://allaboutcad.com/create-views-in-your-drawing/, as on 18th November,
2019.

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Display a view

There are a couple of ways to display a view that you’ve saved.

The quickest is to use the View Controls in the upper-left corner of your drawing area. You just
click the View control, then choose Custom Model Views and then the view that you want. as you
see here.

Another way is to choose View tab, View panel and choose your view from the Views drop-down
list, as you see here.

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Any design project you work on requires a set of drawings and specifications to accompany the
report which specifies the intent of the design. All these aspects require preparation and good
document and project organization. The AutoCAD Sheet Set Manager is a great tool to manage
your drawings from start to finish in your design. If you use sheet sets in the most basic way you
are just taking drawing files and organizing them in proper order, so they can be easily accessed
when working through your project. With sheet sets you can have others on your team work on
one subset while you work on another making collaboration and managing your design package
an easy task27.

The Sheet Set Manager (SSM) can be found on the ribbon under the application menu as shown
in in the image below. If you use the menu bar (MENUBAR set to 1) you can find it under the file
section also shown. Finally, for those of you who use the command prompt type SSM. After you
successfully create a sheet set you can view your sheet set through the SSM Palette as shown in
below on the right.

27
Source: Medium, as at https://medium.com/autodesk-university/managing-your-sheets-with-the-sheet-set-
manager-120c8794c15b, as on 18th November, 2019.

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Process Overview

Note: This excerpt was taken from “Mastering AutoCAD Sheet Sets” by Autodesk.

The drawing file created by the Sheet Set Manager is just like any drawing you create using
traditional methods. You can draw geometry in model space, create additional layout tabs, etc.

The only technical limitation is that each sheet in the SSM sheet list can only point to one layout in
a drawing file. If you have more than one layout in your drawing, you can import those additional
layouts into your sheet list.

There is no technical reason why you shouldn’t have multiple layouts in your drawing, however
the new sheet set paradigm or “best practice” is to have one sheet drawing (DWG file) for each
sheet in your set. The main benefit for this is to enable multiple users to work on different sheets
at the same time. If you have two sheets that point to different layouts within the same drawing,
the drawing file will be locked as soon as one person opens one of those sheets, which is how
AutoCAD has always worked.

Even if the intended process for implementing sheet sets deviates from your current workflow,
don’t be deterred from using them. You can accomplish more than half the process without
changing your current workflow while enjoying significant productivity gains all along the way.

Below is a quick overview of how sheet sets are intended to work.

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1. Create your model geometry in its own drawing file (DWG). Continue to create model geometry
in modelspace including xrefs, nested xrefs, etc. In that particular DWG file, focus on nothing but
the model. Try to forget that the layout tab even exists — this is your “model file.” From now on,
let the “sheet file” deal with the layout.

2. Create a new sheet in the Sheet Set Manager. This will create a new drawing file (DWG) with an
active layout tab. The sheet name in the sheet list is simply a shortcut to that layout in the DWG
file.

3. Open the sheet, which is really opening the drawing file with that sheet layout active.

4. Add resource drawing views to the sheet layout. This is where you create layout viewports and
attach the model drawings as xrefs. Using the sheet set paradigm as it was intended, you collect
design information from other sources (external references attached in model space) and
assemble them into a sheet layout (title block, viewports, notes, etc. in paper space). The only
objects that should exist in model space are the attachments to external files.

5. Add sheet information to the sheet layout. You might add sheet notes or other sheet (paper
space) information that is specific to the sheet. Although you can (technically) draw in model
space, create more layouts, etc., the intention is for this DWG file to be a single sheet with external
references to model drawings.

The above process isn’t strictly enforced with sheet sets. However, you should consider how you
can transition to this process so that you can take full advantage of sheet set functionality.

Aside from separating your Model and Layout into two different drawings, the general concepts
(xrefs, model space, viewports, layouts) should be familiar to you.

Using Sheet Sets Collaboratively

You can use sheet sets in a team that can involve network access, Internet collaboration, and
email transmittal. The team can also include people who use software that does not include Sheet
Set Manager.

Work in a Team That Uses Sheet Set Manager

1. When you use sheet sets in a team, each member should have network access to the sheet set
data (DST) file and the drawing template (DWT) files associated with the sheet set. Each team
member can open the sheet set to load the sheet set information from the DST file into the Sheet
Set Manager.

2. Any changes that any team member makes opens the DST file briefly and updates the
information stored in that file. When the DST file is opened, a lock icon is displayed next to the
sheet set name in the top left corner of the Sheet Set Manager.

3. A green dot in the lock icon indicates that the Sheet Set Manager session on your computer has
temporarily locked the DST file.

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4. A red dot in the lock icon indicates that the Sheet Set Manager session on a team member’s
computer has temporarily locked the DST file.

5. A yellow dot in the lock icon means that the sheet is in a special state; for example, its file
properties may be set to Read-Only.

6. Other members of the team can automatically see changes to the sheet set in the Sheet Set
Manager tree view.

7. If each member of the team has access to the sheet set DWT files, new drawing files and their
sheets are created using the same drawing template file; page setups for these drawings are also
standardized.

8. Status data for sheets in the current sheet set is also available to other team members. This
status data is displayed in the tree view and indicates one of the following conditions:

9. The sheet is available for editing.

10. The sheet is locked.

11. The sheet is missing or found in an unexpected folder location.

12. The active sheets of other team members are automatically polled for status changes; the tree
view is updated in your session of the Sheet Set Manager. The polling cycle skips the poll interval
in your session when a command is active. To force a sheet status update, click Refresh Sheet
Status on the Sheet List tab.

13. You can click any sheet to display more information in the Details area of the Sheet Set
Manager.

14. With some limitations, you can use sheet sets in a team with members who do not have
network access, or do not have access to the Sheet Set Manager. These team members may be
using an older version of AutoCAD LT or AutoCAD. In those circumstances, not all members of
the team will have access to the DST file. However, relevant information from the DST file is stored
(cached) in each drawing file, and sheet set information, such as custom properties, is preserved
when the drawing file is shared by other team members.

15. After a member of the team changes information in the DST file, the information in several
drawing files might need to be updated. With the sheet set open, update a sheet by opening and
saving the sheet.

16. You can update all sheets in a sheet set automatically with the Resave All Sheets option in the
sheet set shortcut menu. Drawing files saved in a previous DWG file format are saved without
changing the format.

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About Using Sheet Sets in a Networked Environment

This resource on using sheet sets in a networked environment is included here as an example
refers to example sheet sets where the IRD Addition is one of them. It gives a good representation
of how a workflow would be in a network environment.

Example Sheet Sets

First, we are going to explore the sample sheet sets that are provided with your AutoCAD
installation. Autodesk provides us with 3 example sheet sets to use as a guide and investigate the
techniques used in creating an Architectural, Civil, and Mechanical Sheet Set.

1. Start AutoCAD and use the SSM palette shown left (Ctrl+4) to open and browse through the 3
example sheet sets provided in the Example Sheet Sets folder.

2. Under each folder is an example sheet set.

3. Open Each Sheet Set one at a time and look at all the properties of the SSM.

4. Use these as a guide and reference as you build your own sheet sets.

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Activity 8

How does creating views help in managing large projects?

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 Activity 8

Identify CAD software used in the organisation and confirm compatibility

with other software programs and peripheral equipment

The software you should use when designing something to be 3D printed is entirely dependent on
what you are trying to make. In general, 3D design software falls into two categories. The first is
CAD software and the second is 3D modelling software. Even though this is general, CAD software
is usually used when creating industrial objects such as mechanical objects. On the other hand, 3D
modelling software allows more artistic freedom as designs do not need to work mechanically, be
functional or fit to a real world device. Historically, 3D modelling software has been used in film
animations and video games to make organic designs. However, it can also be used to create 3D
printable models.

Here we focus on CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. The software can be highly specific, it is
designed to be a technical tool with functions in industrial design, mechanical design, architecture,
and areas such as aerospace engineering and astronautics. A CAD model will contain data like
material properties, dimensions, tolerance and manufacturing process specific information.
Furthermore, many CAD applications now offer advanced rendering and animation capabilities to
better visualise product design.

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If you choose to create a 3D printable model with CAD you can save your model in
the stereolithography file format (STL), a de facto CAD file format for additive manufacturing (other
file formats tailored specifically for AM exist too).

The List: Top 10 From Beginner to Professional Level

We also have a list of 3D software exclusively for beginners HERE.

1. TinkerCAD

This is an online 3D design app geared towards complete beginners coming from Autodesk. The
software features an intuitive block-building concept, allowing you to develop models from a set of
basic shapes. The online software comes with a library of millions of files that users can use to find
shapes that suit them best and manipulate them as they wish. It also has a direct interaction with
third party printing services. It is quite a simplistic program and will have limitations for some designs.
However, it is aimed mostly at people with no experience whatsoever with 3D modelling.

– Beginner Level
– Free

2. FreeCAD

FreeCAD is a completely free parametric 3D modelling tool that is open-source and enables you to
design real-life objects of any size. The parametric component makes editing easier. You can go to
your model’s history and change the parameters to get a different model. This software is not
designed for professional purposes but is a good training tool. The options it offers are quite basic
but a good starting point when you have no experience.

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– Beginner Level
– Free

3. BlocksCAD

This 3D software is specifically created for educational purposes, its development is done so that
anyone can later use OpenSCAD, a more professional CAD software. The commands for the
development of the objects and their transformations are represented by colour blocks, reminiscent
of the well-known construction toys, LEGO. BlocksCAD’s code is fully compatible with OpenSCAD’s
so you can give your models the last touch up on there. Export formats can be OpenSCAD or STL.
To make sure that anyone can learn to use the software, BlocksCAD has a Youtube channel with
different tutorials on 3D modelling.

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– Beginner Level
– Free

4. Creo

Creo CAD software is one of the market leaders in product design, developed by Parametric
Technology Corporation more than 30 years ago. It integrates many functionalities such as thermal,
structural, motion, parametric and freestyle surface generation and direct modelling. It is a complete
tool, ideal for additive manufacturing, that will allow you to perform all your dimensioning
calculations while modelling your final idea. The latest Creo 5.0 version was released in 2018 and
features an improved user interface, redesigned for a better handling. A 30-day trial version is
available free of charge.

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– Intermediate Level
– One license is $2,310

5. Fusion 360°

Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD program. It’s unique in the sense that it uses the power of the
could to bring together design teams to collaborate on complex projects. An advantage of the
Fusion 360° platform is it stores the entire history of the model including all the changes. It contains
numerous design options, including freeform, solid and mesh modelling. It operates on a monthly
payment subscription basis. The developers also regularly update the features, making it better as
new instalments come along. It runs on multiple platforms and allows users to access their
information wherever they want. In i.materialise’s poll in 2017, they noticed a jump in the program’s
popularity in the last two years. Many people have praised the software’s professional capabilities
and user-friendly interface and workflow.

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– Intermediate Level
– Payment: $60/month or $495/year
– Free for students, educators & academic institutions

6. Solidworks

Published by Dassault Systèmes, it is often used by professional 3D designers. It is a parametric

featured-based model. The software includes a wide range of features such as design validation
tools, or reverse engineering. It tends to be used for industrial objects. It is quite practical and
detailed. One of its special features is that unlike many other software that mimic curves through
gently inclining flat structures, Solidworks uses a system of NURBS. This system allows to create very
detailed curvatures. Also, instead of polygonal modelling, it uses dimensional sketching so that
resizing becomes far less of a hassle. One disadvantage that is often brought up by users of the
software is the limited ability to import .STL files. If you wish to download and edit .STL files, a
secondary program will most likely be necessary. The file format is very much an output file format
and not intended for post-design processing.

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– Professional Level
– One license is $3,995

7. AutoCAD

AutoCAD software from Autodesk was one of the first CAD software to be released on the market
in 1982, making it a very established CAD software across industries. Even though AutoCAD is
popular and widely used, in the 3D printing community its popularity has decreased lately according
to i.materialise’s poll. Many users cite that although it is ideal for 2D drafting, it is not the easiest to
use for 3D modelling. Indeed, the learning curve to master macros and scripts is steep for moving
beyond simple parts. The software is aimed at professionals with experience in programming
models algorithmically. If you have that skill, there is little you can’t do with AutoCAD. The 3D models
can readily be converted to STL files for 3D printing. Since 2010, AutoCAD was released on a mobile
and web-app as well, called AutoCAD 360.

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– Professional Level
– From $185/month or $1,470/year
– Free and fully functional version to download for students and faculties.

8. CATIA

The CATIA CAD solution has historically been developed for Dassault Aviation’s own needs. It is
more than a simple CAD Software, as it is also a multi-platform software suite for CAD, CAM
(Computer Aided Manufacturing), CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) and more. It is powered
by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform. CATIA innovates product design and experience
by integrating various approaches in product design and development, enabling multiple disciplines
to leverage their existing tools throughout the stages of product development process. Therefore,
the software is very useful for industrial and creative designers, mechanical engineers, and systems
architects. CATIA provides a 3D design environment that enables online people and stakeholders
to share product designs and collaborate on product modelling.

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– Professional Level
– Starting price around $10,000

9. OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a free, open-source CAD software aimed at making solid 3D models. It is suitable for
experienced users seeking a platform for an elaborated project. Also, given its Constructive Solid
Geometry (CSG) and the Extrusion of 2D outlines, this software is intuitive for coders/programmers.
It is great for simple shapes that are already parametrically defined. Since it is completely based on
description language, the program will not be intuitive for everyone at all.

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– Professional Level
– Free

10. Rhino

The company behind this software markets it as the world’s most versatile 3D-modeler. It is a
commercial 3D computer graphics and CAD software. The program uses a precise and
mathematical model known as NURB which allows to manipulate points, curves, meshes, surfaces,
solids and more in all sorts of ways. Rhino3D’s strong point is its wide range of design features. It
offers great versatility in creating complex 3D models. Many users have reported however that the
software is difficult to learn and will take a lot of practice to master. It is also reportedly not the most
accurate software at capturing user intent. The software is available for download in a variety of
bundles on their website at various prices.

– Professional Level
– Includes different bundles; Rhino 6.0 starts at 995€ for Windows and Rhino 5.0 at 695€ for Mac

Identify software features for linked specifications, catalogues or materials

ordering

Product engineers are designing, developing, and taking products to market at a dizzying rate
today, and that’s due in part to the advancements in software tools over the past few years. 3D
CAD modelling tools especially have been beneficial to increasing the speed with which product
engineers can generate models for tooling, prototyping, patenting, marketing, and manufacturing.
Of course, product engineers can be more productive only when they have the right type of 3D

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CAD modelling software tools, and that’s why we’ve rounded up 50 of the top tools available
today28.

Our picks are based on product engineer reviews, product engineering blogs and forums, and
other publications from experts in the field. We also chose 3D CAD modelling software tools that
have the most useful features. Some of our picks are best suited for visualization and quick
ideation and rendering, while others are useful for freeform surface modelling. Our top 3D CAD
modelling software tools also range in price and capability because our goal is to help you find
exactly those tools that will fit your budget and your product engineering needs so you can work
more efficiently and stay one step ahead of the competition. Please note, we have listed our top
50 3D CAD modelling software tools here, in no particular order.

1. Tinkercad
@tinkercad

Tinkercad helps product engineers develop the best products for life. A browser-based 3D CAD
modelling tool that is appropriate for nearly any skill level, Tinkercad suits product engineering
students and seasoned professionals. Many product engineers also turn to Tinkercad when they
need a 3D printing solution.

Key Features:

• 3D design and modelling tool for all

• Part of the 123D family of free apps
• Complete designs and models in mere minutes
• Click-to-3D print

Cost: FREE

28
Source: Pannam Imaging, as at https://www.pannam.com/blog/best-3d-cad-modeling-software/, as on 18th
November, 2019.

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2. Solidworks
@SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software is available in three editions to ensure product engineers have
the functionality needed to hasten the design process and be as productive as possible. All three
editions have 3D design capabilities, but SOLIDWORKS Professional and SOLIDWORKS Premium
are built for collaboration with powerful design and modeling features.

Key Features:

• SOLIDWORKS Standard – Powerful 3D design for rapidly creating parts, assemblies, and
2D drawings
• SOLIDWORKS Professional – File management tools, advanced photorealistic rendering,
automated cost estimation, eDrawings Professional collaboration capabilities, automated
design and drawing checking, and more
• SOLIDWORKS Premium – Comprehensive 3D design solution with powerful simulation
and design validation in addition to ECAD/MCAD collaboration, reverse engineering, and
advanced wire and pipe routing functionality

Cost: Contact for a quote

3. AutoCAD
@autodesk

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Autodesk offers some of the most popular 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software
and services available today. Their AutoCAD software is a powerful 3D CAD tool that enables
product engineers to design every detail and work with TrustedDWG technology, collaborate
across desktop, cloud, and mobile, and access the AutoCAD mobile app for working on the go.

Key Features:

• Innovative 3D design for creating and communicating almost any design with 3D
modelling and visualization tools
• Customize AutoCAD to increase productivity and enforce CAD standards
• Share and use data from PDF and DGN files, Navisworks, Bing Maps, and the AutoCAD
mobile app
• PDF import enhancements, external file references, object selection, text to Mtext
enhancements, and more

Cost: FREE trial available for 30 days

• AutoCAD Subscription
o $185/month
o $1,470/1 year
o $2,795/2 years
o $3,970/3 years

4. FreeCAD

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An open source software tool, FreeCAD is specifically designed for mechanical engineering and
product design. FreeCAD is a parametric 3D CAD modeler appropriate for designing real-life
objects of any size and includes tools similar to SOLIDWORKS. FreeCAD is open-source and multi-
platform and reads and writes several open file formats including STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, LBJ,
IFC, DAE, and others.

Key Features:

• Parametric modelling for easily modifying designs by going back into model history and
changing parameters
• Highly customizable, scriptable, and extensible
• Appropriate for experienced CAD users who identify with the tools and workflow that are
similar to other commercial CAD and BIM modelling software

Cost: FREE

5. TurboCAD 2016 Deluxe

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TurboCAD 2016 Deluxe is a complete, powerful 2D/3D CAD software tool with tools for drawing,
modifying, dimensioning, and annotating. Product engineers appreciate the materials, lighting,
and photorealistic rendering offered by TurboCAD 2016 Deluxe and the fact that they easily can
share their work with AutoCAD and SketchUP or print in 3D.

Key Features:

• Easy to learn and use

• Complete 2D drafting and 3D modeling in one software tool
• Customizable UI, time-saving wizards, XREF support, and more
• Mechanical tools tailored to engineers such as 2D/3D Boolean operations, revolve,
extrude, sweeps, and chain polyline
• Improved mirror copy tool for 3D objects
• Slot tools, improved conceptual selector, new highlighting of 3D objects and parts of 3D
objects, and much more

Cost: Electronic download – $129.99

6. Creo Parametric 3D Modeling Software

@PTC

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PTC brings technology solutions and leadership to the Internet of Things, and their 3D CAD tool is
ideal for innovative product development. Creo Parametric 3D is a product engineering software
tool that improves quality and speeds time-to-market because it enables users to efficiently build
3D virtual prototypes of products and automates the product development process.

Key Features:

• Unique blend of parametric and direct modelling with product design apps that are
interoperable
• Seamless integration of technology for greater productivity and innovation
• Easily capture design intent and build models that change as you change the parameters
of their features
• Freely create and interact with 3D CAD geometry to quickly see the results of your
engineering decisions
• Intuitive, flexible editing environment that is suited to beginners through experts

Cost: FREE trial available; Contact for a quote

7. IronCAD
@IronCADTeam

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A leading provider of innovative design collaboration solutions, IronCAD delivers productivity and
design freedom with their software tools. Their product engineering software solution aids in
designing more quickly and easily because of its intuitive solution that empowers engineers to
increase productivity and collaborate throughout the enterprise.

Key Features:

• Intuitive platform that mirrors interaction with the physical world

• Easily reposition components with the patented TriBall visualization tool
• Complete 3D design program that allows engineers to choose from parametric, direct, or
a combination of modalities on demand in a single environment
• Freely explore design ideas and create models dynamically onscreen without needing to
plan and map out concepts in advance
• Use one tool to manage the entire design process from concept to production
• 3D models only require one file, regardless of complexity

Cost: FREE trial available; Contact for a quote

8. Moment of Inspiration

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Moment of Inspiration is a 3D modelling tool for designers, artists, and engineers that features an
intuitive user interface that blends a fluid workflow with powerful tools. MoI is less complex than
other CAD tools yet includes a CAD toolset and advanced boolean functions for rapid creation of
mechanical or man-made hard surface models.

Key Features:

• For Windows and Mac

• Unique polygon mesh export generates exceptionally clean and crisp N-Gon polygon
meshes from CAD NURBS models
• New options for extrude, extrude to point, and extrude tapered
• New NSided hole filling command

Cost: $295

9. Shapr3D
@Shapr3D

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For product engineers who enjoy the freedom of working on a tablet, Shapr3D is an ideal solution
for use on an iPad Pro. The first professional 3D CAD for iPad Pro, Shapr3D is easy to learn and
use yet powerful enough for product engineers to draw shapes and transform them using just
their tablet, and Apple Pencil, and the app.

Key Features:

• Draw shapes and transform them; then, use freeform surfacing, sketch on faces, and
chamfer edges in seconds
• Designed specifically for the iPad Pro
• Sketch as you would on paper but get instant results in 3D
• Compatible with all major CAD software including SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, Fusion360,
Rhino3D, CATIA, and Inventor
• Precise sketches and models perfectly measured in mm, cm, m, inches, and feet
• Supports transformations and features such as union, loft, hollow, offset, revolve, section,
subtract, sweep, and freeform

Cost:

• FREE – Ideal for 3D printing

• Pro: $8.25/month paid annually – Ideal for professional users

10. Fusion 360

@autodesk

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A cloud-powered 3D CAD software tool for product engineers, Fusion 360 is a 3D CAD, CAM, and
CAE tool in a league of its own. Fusion 360 connects the entire product development process in a
single cloud-based platform that works on Macs and PCs.

Key Features:

• Design, test, and fabricate in a single tool

• Work anywhere, any time
• Collaborate with anyone
• Quickly iterate with sculpting tools to explore form and modelling tools to create finishing
features
• Test fit and motion, perform simulations, create assemblies, make photorealistic
renderings, and animations while you engineer and simulate with Fusion 360
• Collaborate and manage – Create tool paths to machine your components or use the 3D
printing workflow to create a prototype

Cost: FREE trial available

• Standard Annual Plan: $300/year – Subscription services, design, documentation, data

management and collaboration, accessibility, simulation, and manufacturing features
• Ultimate Annual Plan: $1,500/year – All standard plan features plus advanced simulation
and advanced manufacturing

11. BricsCAD
@bricsys

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BricsCAD is a reliable, affordable 3D CAD software tool for designers and engineers. This product
engineering tool features familiar .dwg CAD features and saves time with powerful tools and 3D
direct modelling features.

Key Features:

• Familiar 2D and 3D interface

• Feature-rich combination of 2D drawing and 3D modelling
• Available in three editions: BricsCAD Classic, BricsCAD Pro, and BricsCAD Platinum

Cost:

• BricsCAD Classic: $550 or $750 with priority support and major upgrade
• BricsCAD Pro: $680 or $880 with priority support and major upgrade
• BricsCAD Platinum: $1,020 or $1,220 with priority support and major upgrade

12. OpenSCAD

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A 3D CAD software tool for creating solid 3D CAD models, OpenSCAD is free and available for
Linux/UNIX, Windows, and Mac OS X users. OpenSCAD focuses on CAD for creating 3D models
and gives product engineers control over the modelling process because the tool is similar to a
3D compiler that reads script files and renders 3D models from files rather than being an
interactive modeler.

Key Features:

• Gives engineers full control over the modelling process and allows for easily changing any
step in the modelling process or making designs defined by configurable parameters
• Delivers two modelling techniques: constructive solid geometry (CSG) and extrusion of 2D
outlines
• Read and create 3D motels in the STL and OFF file formats in addition to DXF files

Cost: FREE

13. VariCAD

VariCAD offers 3D/2D CAD software for product engineers. With a comprehensive set of features
and functions, VariCAD is fast and easy to use for quickly creating, evaluating, and modifying 3D
models.

Key Features:

• Optional support of parameters and geometrical constraints

• Shells modelling, pipelines, and wires
• 3D assemblies and groups
• Calculations of 3D objects or 2D sections
• Uses STEP, STL, IGES, DWG, and dXXF file formats for data exchanging and fully supports
Unicode
• Provides tools for 2D updates after changes of 3D models
• Provides a library of basic 3D shapes that easily are modified by editing their dimensions

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 • Create solids via profile rotation, extrusion, or lofting
• Complex tools include rotation blending between two profiles, lofting between a circle and
rectangle or between different profiles, and creation of helical surfaces

Cost: VariCAD for Windows or Linux license + one year upgrade: $520

14. SolveSpace
@whitequark

A parametric 3D CAD program, SolveSpace is appropriate for product engineers who need to
model 3D parts, print 3D parts, prepare CAM data, design mechanisms, and use plane and solid
geometry. SolveSpace includes features for sketching sections, building solid models, analyzing
models, and much more.

Key Features:

• Sketch sections using lines, circles, line styles, 3Dconnexion six degree of freedom
controllers, and more
• Constraints and dimensions on distance, projected distance, lengths in metric or inch units,
and others
• Build solid models with extruded or lathed sketch, Boolean operations, parametric step
and repeat, etc.
• Export 3D wireframe as DXF or STEP

Cost: FREE

15. Blender
@blender_org

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A free, open source 3D modeling tool, Blender is a complete 3D creation suite that supports the
entire 3D pipeline from modeling and rigging to simulation and rendering to production. Product
engineers choose Blender when they are looking for a tool for visualization and quick ideation and
rendering.

Key Features:

• Includes Cycles, the built-in, powerful, unbiased path-tracer engine for ultra-realistic
rendering
• Comprehensive array of modelling tools for creating, transforming, and editing models
quickly and easily
• Advanced sculpting tools and brushes

Cost: FREE

16. BRL-CAD
@BRL_CAD

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BRL-CAD is a powerful, cross-platform, open source solid modelling system. This 3D CAD
modelling software tool includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for
rendering and geometric analysis, and much more for product engineers.

Key Features:

• Combinatorial constructive solid geometry (CSG) solid modelling system

• Network-distributed framebuffer support
• Image and signal-processing tools
• Path-tracing and photon mapping support for realistic image synthesis
• The primary tri-service solid modelling AD system used by the U.S. military to model
weapons systems for vulnerability and lethality analyses
• Supports a variety of geometric representations including an extensive set of traditional
CSG primitive implicit solids such as boxes, ellipsoids, cones, and tori
• A collection of more than 400 tools, utilities, and applications

Cost: FREE

17. Meshmixer
@meshmixer

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Meshmixer is Autodesk’s state-of-the-art 3D software tool for working with triangle meshes.
Product engineers choose Meshmixer when they want to design an object that fits something else
or when they need a solution that offers precise 3D positioning with pivots.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop mesh mixing

• 3D sculpting and surface stamping
• Robust convert-to-solid for 3D printing
• 3D patterns and lattices
• Branching support structures for 3 D printing
• For Windows, OS X, and Linux

Cost: FREE

18. DesignSpark Mechanical

@DesignSparkRS

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DesignSpark is an engineer and maker community offering free software, online resources, and
design support. DesignSpark Mechanical is their 3D CAD modeling software that enables product
engineers to design and make in 3D in innovative ways and to rapidly prototype and reverse
engineer objects quickly and easily.

Key Features:

• Seamlessly integrates into your existing design workflow

• Import or save 3D models from a variety of suppliers in the RSDOC format for use i your
existing DesignSpark Mechanical design projects
• Create a Bill-of-Materials and get instant online quotes
• Import and export in a variety of industry standard file formats including STL, SKP, OBJ,
AutoCAD, and DXF

Cost: FREE

19. Inventor
@autodesk

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Inventor is 3D CAD software for product development that offers professional-grade 3D
mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation tools. Inventor allows product
engineers to work with data from any 3D CAD system and maintain an associative link.

Key Features:

• Modelling flexibility with various modelling options

• Automation allows you to set up your product configurator without writing complex code
• Parametric modelling for focusing on designing rather than on the interface
• Model-based definition – Use 3D annotations to add tolerance dimensions, notes, and
other engineering details to the 3D model
• Faster open time for large files to speed up the design process

Cost: FREE trial available

• Inventor Subscription
o $235/Month
o $1,890/1 year
o $3,590/2 years
o $5,105/3 years

20. Rhino
@bobmcneel

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Rhino 5, for Windows and Mac, helps product engineers create, edit, analyze, document, render,
animate, and translate NURBS curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes.
One of the most versatile 3D modelers available, Rhino virtually eliminates limits on complexity,
degree, and size.

Key Features:

• Affordable, uninhibited freeform 3D modelling tools for modelling any shape you can
imagine
• Accuracy for designing, prototyping, engineering, analyzing, and manufacturing nearly
anything
• Compatible with other design, drafting, CAM, engineering, analysis, rendering, animation,
and illustration software
• Fast and does not require any special hardware

Cost:

• Commercial Rhino 5 for Windows, Single User: $995

• Commercial Rhino/Flamingo/Penguin/Bongo Bundle: $1,695
• Rhino/Brazil Bundle: $1,495
• Rhino/Flamingo Bundle: $1,295
• Commercial Rhino 5 for Mac, Single User: $695

21. Patchwork 3D
@lumiscaphe

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A 3D CAD modelling software powered by Lumiscaphe, Patchwork 3D transforms CAD data into
photorealistic 3D models for industrial use. Product engineers use Patchwork 3D to use real-time
rendering to shorten design cycles.

Key Features:

• Fully configurable, sun-type light for real-time illumination without or in addition to

lightmaps
• Up to three animatable clipping pains to reveal layers of products, clipping through just
the surfaces you want
• Real-time material editor
• Best-in-class surface unfolding algorithms are unique for industry applications
• Native CAD support provides interactive NURBS tessellation

Cost: FREE trial available; Contact for a quote

22. Onshape for Professional Design Teams

@Onshape

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The first and only full-cloud 3D CAD system that allows for collaboration with team members
using any web browser, phone, or tablet, Onshape for Professional Design Teams makes it
possible to use a 3D CAD modelling software tool anywhere, any time. Onshape is designed
specifically for today’s agile design teams.

Key Features:

• Enterprise-grade CAD
• Real-time deployment and access
• Real-time data management
• Real-time analytics and controls

Cost: FREE trial available for 21 days; Contact for a quote

23. KeyCreator Direct CAD

@KubotekUSA

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KeyCreator Direct CAD is a 3D modelling software tool for engineers, designers, manufacturers,
and analysts seeking a fast, flexible solution for creating, changing, analyzing, or communicating a
mechanical part of design. With KeyCreator Direct CAD, users quickly produce 3D design
concepts without any constraints.

Key Features:

• Modify nearly any geometry as if sculpting with clay

• Eliminate rebuilding errors by crating geometry in real time
• Add precision with sophisticated modelling tools
• Import CAD models from other software packages and make edits directly to the
geometry
• Export CAD files in multiple formats

Cost: Contact for a quote

24. Solid Edge ST9

@Siemens

A portfolio of affordable software tools for the product development process, Solid Edge is easy
to use and aids product engineers in such stages of the process as 3D design, simulation, and
manufacturing. Solid Edge ST9 delivers unparalleled flexibility and excellence in a 3D CAD tool
with the cloud capabilities modern product engineers need.

Key Features:

• Enhancements in synchronous technology

• Easily collaborate using popular cloud-based file sharing software and the ability to work
offline
• Fast, flexible 3D modeling with industry-leading part and assembly modeling tools that
eliminate the constraints of traditional CAD software

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 • Built-in data management with instant searches, easy revision and release management,
and optional cloud-based vaulting

Cost: FREE trial available

• Design and Drafting: $100/month – Basic 3D CAD and support package

• Foundation: $230/month – Complete 3D CAD and support package
• Classic: $290/month – Advanced 3D CAD and support package
• Premium: $420/month – 3D CAD and support package
• Perpetual Licenses: Contact for a quote

25. SketchUp
@SketchUp

Product engineers looking for a 3D drawing tool that is ideal for quick ideation often opt for
SketchUp. Intuitive and powerful, this 3D software modeling tool also allows for quick iteration and
aids users in creating compelling visualizations and generating presentation documents.

Key Features:

• Begin by drawing lines and shapes and then push and pull surfaces to turn them into 3D
forms before stretching, copying, rotating, and painting to make any product
• Turn 3D models into drawings
• Find 3D models in 3D Warehouse, the world’s largest library of free 3D models

Cost: SketchUp Pro: $695

26. AutoCAD Mechanical

@autodesk

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AutoCAD Mechanical is a product engineering design software that incorporates the functionality
of AutoCAD with libraries of standards-based parts and tools to drive mechanical CAD. With more
than 700,00 standard parts and international drafting standards support, AutoCAD Mechanical is a
comprehensive 3D CAD modelling software tool.

Key Features:

• Isolate and restore layer groups and specify linetypes

• Create rectangles from the ribbon
• Produce accurate drawings with standard components using more than 700,000 standard
parts and features
• Document 3D CAD models
• Reusable mechanical drawing detailing tools
• Create and save custom content with the custom content library

Cost: FREE trial available for 30 days

27. SpaceClaim
@spaceclaim

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Billed as “the world’s fastest and most innovative 3D modelling software,” SpaceClaim helps
product engineers design in the way that they think. SpaceClaim is a fast, flexible 3D tool that
makes it easier for users to get to market faster.

Key Features:

• Full part and assembly modelling

• Detailed drawings include full 2D/3D GD&T
• Photorealistic rendering capabilities with Keyshot
• Open and edit files from neutral and native CAD systems

Cost: FREE trial available; Contact for a quote

28. DesignCAD 3D Max

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DesignCAD 3D Max is a versatile 3D CAD modelling software tool that is ideal for beginners to
professionals. An award-winning software, DesignCAD 3D Max also is a 2D CAD solution that has
the power needed for creating high-quality designs, simple renders, and animations.

Key Features:

• New file interoperability

• Better management of blocks, symbols, and image files
• General purpose 3D CAD tool for creating precise, high-quality 2D designs, 3D models,
renders, and animations
• Full range of powerful 3D modelling primitives such as box, sphere, hemisphere, pyramid,
cylinder, cone, and torus
• Utilize Boolean operations including solid add, solid subtract, and slice to shape 3D parts
• 3D view settings, 3D primitives, 3D (solid) editing operations, and 3D visualization

Cost: FREE trial available

• DesignCAD 3D Max 2016 Bundle: $199.99

• DesignCAD 3D Max 2016: $99.99

29. CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE

@Dassault3DS

From Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE company, CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE is a leading

solution for product design and experience. Product engineers choose this 3D CAD software tool
to develop products people around the world use every day.

Key Features:

• Model any product and do so in the context of its real-life behavior to enable design in
the age of experience
• Define, imagine, and shape the connected world

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 • Social design environment accessed via powerful 3D dashboards to drive business
intelligence, real-time concurrent design, and collaboration across all stakeholders and
mobile workers
• World-class 3D modelling and simulation capabilities to optimize the effectiveness of
every user

Cost: Contact for a quote

30. 3DCrafter

An intuitive 3D CAD modelling software, 3DCrafter is a tool that product engineers use for real-
time modelling and animating. Design and create more quickly with the intuitive drag-and-drop
approach to 3D modelling with 3DCrafter.

Key Features:

• Construct complex models from simple 3D primitives or using the 3DCrafter’s Shape
Building Tools
• Includes modelling tools to deform, sculpt, and paint 3D shapes
• Customize the interface using tool roll-up groups so that you see only the items you use
most frequently

Cost:

• 3DCrafter Standard: FREE – Introduction to 3D modelling and animation

• 3DCrafter Plus: $34.95 – Create detailed models or low-polygon models
• 3DCrafter Pro: $69.95 – Full-fledged 3D modelling and animation package and
photorealistic image capabilities

31. Creo Elements/Direct

@PTC

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Creo Elements/Direct is a 3D CAD modelling software tool for product engineers who prefer to
take a direct modelling approach. With this tool, you quickly and easily can create designs or
radically repurpose existing designs even if you are unaware of how they were made. PTC offers
three Creo Elements/Direct options: Creo Elements/Direct Modelling, Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting, and Creo Elements/Direct Model Manager.

Key Features:

• Shorten time-to-market
• Meet customer demands
• Satisfy increasingly complex customer requirements
• Make changes to geometry quickly and easily

Cost: Contact for a quote

32. MeshLab

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An open source, extensible system for processing and editing unstructured 3D triangular meshes,
MeshLab is a 3D modelling tool that aids in the processing of typical, unstructured models in 3D
scanning and in providing a set of tools for editing, cleaning, healing, inspecting, rendering, and
converting these sorts of meshes.

Key Features:

• Features for processing raw data produced by 3D digitization tools and devices and for
preparing models for 3D printing
• Supports large meshes
• Vastly improved rendering speed
• New transformation filters and ways of getting metric information out of models
• Direct upload of models on SketchFab
• Transformation matrices used more uniformly among filters
• 3D acquisition: aligning, reconstruction, and colour mapping and texturing

Cost: FREE

33. CMS IntelliCAD

@CMS_INTELLICAD

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A 2D/3D DWG CAD software tool, CMS IntelliCAD is an affordable alternative to AutoCAD and
MicroStation. Fast, efficient, powerful, and versatile, CMS IntelliCAD uses advanced technology to
integrate the Microsoft Windows interface with a powerful CAD engine.

Key Features:

• Unparalleled compatibility with AutoCAD – uses most of the same file formats including
.dwg files for drawing
• CMS IntelliCAD users also can use AutoCAD menu files and run Autodesk AutoLISP
programs by recompiling custom ADS programs to ink with IntelliCAD libraries
• Delivers additional tools with advanced CAD features
• Seamless Microsoft Windows integration
• Multi-document interface and powerful IntelliCAD Explorer for opening and working
several designs at one time and quickly managing information and settings and copying
layers, linotypes, and other information between drawings

Cost:

• CMS IntelliCAD 8.2PE Plus: $239.95

• CMS IntelliCAD PE ClLOUD Subscription: $149.95/1 year

34. ZW3D

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An all-in-one 3D CAD/CAM solution, ZW3D is an affordable 3D CAD/CAM solution appropriate
for the complete product development process. ZW3D is a tool of choice for product engineers
because it features the fastest kernel for solid-surface hybrid modeling.

Key Features:

• Non-solid mold parting

• Smart CNC machining tactics from 2 axis to 5 axis
• Affords customers benefits that include reduced costs, optimized design workflow, and
improved efficiency

Cost: Contact for a quote

35. SolidFace Collaborative Cloud 3D CAD Software

@SolidFaceCAD

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A 2D/3D parametric historic constructive CAD modeler, SolidFace is a real-time collaborative
cloud CAD solution. Product engineers, designers, and their teams collaborate and work
simultaneously in the same 3D CAD model with SolidFace.

Key Features:

• Get working in seconds: start a cloud CAD collaboration session, share the unique key for
each collaborative instance, and start working simultaneously in the same 3D model or
assembly
• Import existing CAD models and use SolidFace Cloud CAD for collaborating with anyone,
anywhere, any time
• Spend more time designing products and less time learning and using CAD

Cost: Contact for a quote

36. KOMPAS-3D

A flexible 3D CAD modeling software tool, KOMPAS-3D makes it possible for product engineers
to create models using the method that best fits their preferences and their needs. The optional
approaches to modeling accommodated by KOMPAS-3D allow users to create editable
associative models quickly and easily.

Key Features:

• Bottom-up modelling using finished components

• Top-down modelling by designing components to match specific designs
• Modelling based on layout drawings, such as kinematic diagrams
• P NX for Designowerful functions for managing projects comprised of thousands of
subassemblies, parts, and standard library products
• Supports all capabilities of 3D solids and surface modelling that are considered the
standard of mid-level CAD/CAM programs

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Cost: Contact for a quote

37. NX for Product Design

@Siemens

NX for Product Design is a leading-edge 3D CAD modelling software tool that is a powerful
solution intended to help product engineers, designers, and teams design more efficiently and
cost-effectively. NX provides comprehensive modelling to ensure users utilize productive
modelling approaches interchangeably.

Key Features:

• Helps deliver cost savings extending beyond the design process to all stages of product
development
• Be more productive with modelling approaches ranging from explicit solid and surface
modelling to parametric and direct modelling
• Powerful CAD assembly design tools supporting both top-down and bottom-up design
techniques for advanced assembly management and navigation for even the most
complex assemblies

Cost: Contact for a quote

38. AC3D

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AC3D is a 3D modelling software tool for rapid prototypes of 3D designs, 3D printing, and more.
Powerful and easy to use, AC3D is available for WINDOWS, MAC, and Linux.

Key Features:

• Simple click and drag user interface

• Powerful UV-mapping with the integrated texture coordinate editor
• Support for a range of 3D file formats including 3DS, OBJ, and Collada
• Create smooth and organic shapes from simple underlying models
• Boolean operations to cut, intersect, and join shapes as if they were solid
• No polygon limits

Cost: FREE trial available

• AC3D Home/Student: $89.95

• AC3D Commercial/Group: $109.95/1 user
• AC3D Site Licenses: Contact for a quote

39. K-3D

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A 3D CAD software tool, K-3D is appropriate for 3D modeling and animation. Product engineers
choose K-3D when they need a tool that allows for more artistic work because it combines flexible
plugins with a visualization pipeline architecture.

Key Features:

• Familiar interface consistent with many applications you already know and use
• Intuitive, consistent, and discoverable
• Procedural and parametric workflows
• Advanced undo/redo system enables you to go back; the pioneering undo tree allows you
to go forward, even where other programs lose redo capabilities
• Powerful node-based visualization pipeline gives you the freedom to create combinations
previously unseen

Cost: FREE

40. Geomagic Design

@Geomagic

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A leading provider of 3D software for creating digital models of physical objects for reverse
engineering, product design, inspection, and analysis, Geomagic offers their 3D CAD software
tool, Geomagic Design. Geomagic Design enables users to rapidly and accurately move through
the product development process with its easy to use environment.

Key Features:

• Affordable – delivers top-end tools at lower cost

• Comprehensive assembly, parametric and direct editing tools, 2D documentation, sheet
metal design, motion analysis, and integrated CAD data sharing tools
• Ideal for automotive design and production, aerospace, industrial equipment
manufacturing, and consumer product manufacturing

Cost: FREE trial available; Contact for a quote

41. ZBrush 4R7

@pixologic

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Pixologic presents ZBrush 4R7, an all-in-one digital sculpting solution. ZBrush includes ArrayMesh,
NanoMesh, and ZModeler with QMesh to aid the creative process from initially creating to finally
refining the artwork of your product.

Key Features:

• Stay within ZBrush for more of your workflow

• Optional 64-bit support for fully harnessing your machine’s computing power and
allowing for higher polygon counts and more creativity in less time
• ZModeler is a smart polygonal modeling system for simplifying the creation process by
fusing polygons, deleting full blocks of geometry, connecting parts with advanced paths,
and repeating actions with a single click
• Refine the shape of your model in real-time to transform the way in which you create hard
surface models

Cost:

• ZBrush 4R7 Mac Single User License: $795

• ZBrush 4R7 Windows Single User License: $795

42. Vectorworks Fundamentals

@Vectorworks

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A streamlined set of tools and intuitive 2D/3D modeling capabilities make Vectorworks
Fundamentals a top software tool for product engineers. Vectorworks Fundamentals gives users
the freedom to design in your own way and to capture and develop your ideas all in one place.

Key Features:

• Best-in-industry integrated rendering tools

• Creative 3D modelling with an advanced suite of parasoled-based solids and NURBS
surface tools to create any shape and easily explore geometry
• Intuitive interface for designing from any 3D view using modes in modelling tools that
automatically infer working planes as you move your cursor
• Manipulate models with ease
• More accurate object information and better snapping

Cost: Contact for a quote

43. 3DS Max

@Adsk3dMax

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Autodesk 3DS Max is a powerful 3D modeling software tool for product engineers. Users have the
power to model any person, place, or thing they can imagine, thanks to 3DS Max’s tools for
shaping and defining.

Key Features:

• 3D modelling, shading, and texture mapping

• Works with most major renderers including V-Ray, Iray, and mental ray
• Flexible interoperability to fit into your workflow with Autodesk Revit, Inventor, Fusion 360,
and Stingray, or with SketchUp, Unity, Unreal, and others

Cost: FREE trial available for 30 days

• 3DS Max Subscription

o $185/month
o $1,470/1 year
o $2,795/2 years
o $3,970/3 years

44. Modo
@TheFoundryTeam

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Foundry develops innovative software solutions for the design, visualization, and entertainment
industries. Modo contains a 3D modelling, texturing, and rendering tool set for product engineers
to explore and develop ideas quickly, easily, and creatively. Modo especially is a useful 3D
modelling tool for visualization and quick ideation and rendering.

Key Features:

• Fast direct modelling, flexible procedural modelling, award-winning MeshFusion Boolean

toolset, and built-in sculpting tools
• Focus on creation rather than construction
• Advanced photorealistic and progressive renderer so you can visualize your designs as
you develop them
• Modelling, sculpting, texturing, painting, and photorealistic rendering in one complete,
easy-tl-use package with unlimited network rendering capabilities included

Cost: FREE trial available for 30 days; Contact for a quote

45. Autodesk Alias

@Autodeskalias

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An engineer and designer software tool, Autodesk Alias serves as an ideal industrial surface and
automotive design tool. Alias Design, SpeedForm, AutoStudio, Concept, and Surface comprise
Autodesk Alias and support concept communication, design modelling, technical surfacing,
reverse engineering, real-time design visualization, and engineering development collaboration.

Key Features:

• Flexible product modelling to visualize forms with multiple iterations

• Dynamic shape modelling to edit product models at any stage
• Refine 3D models with 3D sculpting
• Fast concept modelling with mesh-lied modelling for 3D sculpting concept exploration,
better theoretical and feature lines, and more

Cost: Contact for a quote

46. OpenJSCAD

A combination of OpenSCAD and JavaScripts, OpenJSCAD provides a unique programmers’

approach to developing 3D models. Product engineers can create more precise models for 3D
printing with OpenJSCAD.

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Key Features:

• Support for OpenSCAD source-code

• Use JavaScript programming concepts and libraries
• Create and manipulate 3D shapes in addition to 2D shapes

Cost: FREE

47. ImplicitCAD

A powerful, open-source, programmatic CAD, ImplicitCAD enables engineers to use

programming language to create objects. For some complex objects and products, using
programming is the most efficient way to avoid design mistakes by using math and computer
science to create better products with 3D printers.

Key Features:

• Design classes of objects parameterized by variables and in collaboration with others

• Design in your web browser
• Free and open source 3D modelling tool

Cost: FREE

48. Antimony
@impraxical

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With his hands in hardware, firmware, software, and design, Matt Keeter has a special interest in
making interactive things and rapid prototyping and fabrication. That’s why he built Antimony as a
3D CAD modeling tool that “evolved from Lisp machines rather than drafting tables.”

Key Features:

• Built on three axes: a framework for tracking information flow through directed acyclic
graphs, a geometry engine for doing CSG, and a standard library of shapes and
transforms
• Solid modelling is done by connecting nodes in a graph
• Graph engine scales up to complex multi-part assemblies
• Geometry engine uses functional representations for solid modelling, which is ideal for
modelling with boolean operations
• Geometry engine renders shapes as shaded bitmaps and then bits them to a 3D viewpoint
• Define custom shapes

Cost: FREE

49. Strata Design 3D

@Strata3DDesign

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A commercial 3D modelling and animation program, Strata Design 3D is a powerful, yet
affordable software tool for designers and engineers. Strata offers Design 3D CX 8.0 for
professional 3D modelling and animation on Mac OS.

Key Features:

• End-to-end power for the entire 3D design workflow

• Bring ideas to life quickly with tight integration with Adobe Photoshop and award-winning
rendering quality
• Integrated modelling and scene composition to get high-quality images and animations
• Stand-alone solution connected to other tools and resources to maximize workflow
efficiency
• User-friendly modelling toolset and environment for manipulating polygons, splines, and
primitives into any 3D object you can imagine
• Utilizes a host of filters and options to accurately import third-party 3D models and scenes

Cost:

• Design 3D CX 8 Mac Subscription

o 1 Seat: $19.95/month plus $50 license fee
o 5 Seats: $84.79/month plus $212 license fee
o 10 Seats: $159.60/month plus $400 license fee

50. Morphi
@MorphiApp

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Morphi is a 3D design app for 3D printing, augmented reality, virtual reality, stop-motion
animation, visualization, and more for crating inventions, prototypes, and products. Morphi gives
product engineers and their teams the ability to create 3D models from anywhere using touch
and 3D shapes, text, hand drawing, images, and streamlined 3D modelling tools.

Key Features:

• Simple, powerful 3D design tool

• Use touch to crate 3D models from anywhere, any time using a mobile device
• Design both online and offline
• For iPad, Mac desktops, and Mac laptops

Cost:

• Morphi for iPad: FREE with in-app purchase options

• Morphi for Mac: $9.99

Activity 9

Select one CAD program and summarise its features.

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Activity 9

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 Activity 9

Open software and navigate organisational filing and library system

AutoCAD

To Start a New Drawing29

Use one of the following methods to start a drawing.

• On the Start tab, click Start New Drawing. This opens a new drawing based on the default
drawing template file. If a default drawing template file is not specified, the Select
Template dialog box is displayed, from which you can choose an appropriate drawing
template file.
• Right-click a file tab, and choose New to display the Select Template dialog box.
• Click Application menu New Drawing.

29
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-9836C645-44B4-4EF8-B05A-
66EFB2FE0DD2-htm.html, as on 18th November, 2019.

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How to Reset AutoCAD Defaults

Most AutoCAD functions are a result of values loaded from settings files and registry keys.
Resetting the program to defaults restores the program to its original settings.

Solution:
Each user account on a system has its own AutoCAD settings. Resetting to defaults only affects the
currently active user account. To reset in a different account, you must first log in as that user.

For most versions of AutoCAD 2012 and later (including AutoCAD-based products), the reset
utility is in the AutoCAD program group located in the Windows Start menu. The reset utility gives
you the option to back up your settings first. Once the reset is complete, AutoCAD automatically
opens and initiates a secondary installer.

Windows 7:

• Start menu > All Programs > Autodesk > AutoCAD 201x > Reset Settings To Default.

Windows 8:

1. Click the Windows button to access the Start Screen.

2. Right-click the bottom of the screen.
3. Click the down arrow to access all the installed apps.
4. In the AutoCAD section, click Reset Settings to Default.

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Windows 8.1:

1. Click the Windows button to access the Start Screen.

2. Move your cursor down and click the down arrow to access all the installed apps.
3. In the AutoCAD section, click Reset Settings to Default.

Windows 10:

• Click Start menu > All Apps > AutoCAD 201x > Reset Settings to Default.

Note: The reset utility for AutoCAD 2016 is found under Start menu > Autodesk.

Mac OS:
There are multiple ways to get to the reset option in AutoCAD for Mac.To reset only the palettes
in AutoCAD:

• In AutoCAD for Mac, click the Window menu and choose Reset Palettes or
enter RESETPALETTES on the command line.

To reset the entire program:

• In AutoCAD for Mac 2014 SP1 and newer, hold down the Shift key while starting AutoCAD
for Mac.
• In AutoCAD for Mac 2015 and newer, click the AutoCAD menu and choose the reset
option.

• For all versions of AutoCAD for Mac:

1. Click Preferences under the AutoCAD menu.

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 2. Click the Application tab.
3. Click the Reset Application Options button.
4. Click Reset AutoCAD.

Note: Resetting AutoCAD for Mac automatically creates a backup of the current settings and
stores the file in a .tgz archive here:
~home/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/Settings Backup <date/time>.tgz

Activity 10

Under what circumstances would you need to restore AutoCAD defaults?

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Activity 10

Identify organisational and software templates and determine uses

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Drawings and Templates30

New drawings start from either a default drawing template file or a custom drawing template file
that you create. Drawing template files store default settings, styles, and additional data.

When AutoCAD starts, the Start tab is displayed by default. Here, you can quickly start a new
drawing file based on the current drawing template file, or you can specify a different template file
from the Templates list to start a new drawing.

A drawing template file is a drawing file that has been saved with a .dwt file extension, and it
specifies the styles, settings, and layouts in a drawing, including title blocks. The default drawing
template files are provided as samples.

CAD managers often create, maintain, and distribute drawing template files to maintain consistent
standards and styles across an organization. Among the settings specified are

• Units of measure and measurement style (UNITS)

• Drafting settings (DSETTINGS)
• Layers and layer properties (LAYER)
• Linetype scale (LTSCALE)
• Dimension styles (DIMSTYLE)
• Text styles (STYLE)
• Layouts with layout viewports and scales (LAYOUT)
• Plot and publishing settings (PAGESETUP)

When you save these settings as a drawing template file, you can start creating designs without
having to first specify any settings.

To Change Template Settings

Specify files and folders associated with drawing and sheet set templates.

Set or change the template file location for drawings or sheet sets, the default template associated
with the QNEW command, and the default template for sheet creation and page setup overrides.

1. Right-click the drawing area and choose Options.

2. If necessary, click the Files tab.
3. In the tree view, expand Template Settings and make changes as needed to the available
sub-objects.

30
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-02979F86-385F-4A53-A3FB-
7202F1225CDA-htm.html, as on 18th November, 2019.

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Using template

So how we can use the template?

We can choose template when we create a new file.

Setting up default template

Now that we have our own templates, we want AutoCAD to open our default template, instead of
the default acad.dwt.

To change it, you can go to AutoCAD option. In files tab, under template settings category,
change default template file name for QNEW to your default template.

Activity 11

Why would you use organisational templates?

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Activity 11

Identify organisational symbols, codes and standards to be applied in

drafting work and how these are accessed and applied

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Text Symbols and Special Characters Reference31

You can include special characters and symbols by entering a control code or a Unicode string.

Symbols can be inserted in text using one of the following methods:

• In the In-Place Text Editor, right-click and click Symbol.

• On the expanded Text Formatting toolbar, click Symbol.
• Copy and paste from the Character Map.
• Enter the control code or Unicode string.

Note: Precede the Unicode string with a backslash ( \ ).

Unicode strings and control codes

Name Control Codes Unicode Strings
Degree (°) %%d U+00B0
Plus/Minus Tolerance (±) %%p U+00B1
Diameter ( ) %%c U+2205
Text symbols and Unicode strings
Name Symbol Unicode String
Almost equal U+2248
Angle U+2220
Boundary line U+E100
Centerline U+2104
Delta U+0394
Electrical phase U+0278
Flow line U+E101
Identity U+2261
Initial length U+E200
Monument line U+E102
Not equal U+2260
Ohm U+2126
Omega U+03A9
Plate/property line U+214A
Subscript 2 U+2082
Squared U+00B2
Cubed U+00B3

31
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-518E1A9D-398C-4A8A-AC32-
2D85590CDBE1-htm.html, as on 18th November, 2019.

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These text symbols are available in the following True Type (TTF) and SHX fonts:

• Simplex*
• Romans*
• gdt*
• amgdt*
• Isocp
• Isocp2
• Isocp3
• Isoct
• Isoct2
• Isoct3
• Isocpeur (TTF only)*
• Isocpeur italic (TTF only)
• Isocteur (TTF only)
• Isocteur italic (TTF only)

* These fonts also include the Initial Length symbol used for arc length dimensions.

Apply workplace procedures to retrieve and manipulate required information

and navigate computing technology

Working with computers can cause workers a number of problems. These include stress, visual
discomfort, as well as aches and pains in the hands, wrists, arms or shoulders.32

The ACTU has Guidelines on Screen Based Work. The guidelines, although developed some years
ago, provide information on a range of issues associated with screen based work, including the
ergonomics of the work station, electro-magnetic radiation and so on.

Computer Workstation Dimensions

(Based on the Australian Standard AS 3590 - 1990 Screen based workstations, part 2 workstation
furniture)

Height of work surface

• If fixed - 680mm to 720mm above floor level

• If adjustable - 580mm - 730mm above floor level

Area of work surface

32
Source: OHS Reps, as at
https://www.ohsrep.org.au/office_hazards_computers_and_vdus_what_are_the_guidelines, as on 18th
November, 2019.

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 • Width - 1500mm minimum
• Depth - 900mm minimum
• Bench thickness over leg span - 25mm maximum

Volume of leg space

• Width - 800mm minimum

• Depth - 550mm minimum
• Height - 580mm minimum

Viewing distance to work

• 350mm - minimum
• 750mm - maximum
• Height of display - 30mm - 40mm below eye level

Seating

• Surface of seat to floor - 380mm - 510mm

• Seat pan depth - 330mm - 430mm
• Footrest area - 300mm x 375mm

Chairs and Posture Checklist for Keyboard Workers

It is important to ensure that the chairs are well adjusted chairs - this improves body position and
circulation, reduces muscular effort and decreases pressure on the worker's back. Chairs should
swivel, have five wheels for stability, have breathable fabric on the seat, a rounded front edge and
have adjustable height and backrest for lumbar support.

Work surface height

The height of the work surface and/or the chair should be such that the work surface is
approximately at finger length below the height of the elbow when seated.

Chair

The seat tilt should be adjusted so that the worker is comfortable when using the keyboard.
Usually this will be close to horizontal but tilted slightly forwards. If this places an uncomfortable
strain on the leg muscles or if the feet do not reach the floor then a footrest should be used. The
backrest should supports the lower back when the worker is sitting upright.

Keyboard placement

The keyboard should be in a position that allows the forearms to be close to the horizontal and
the wrists to be straight. That is, with the hand in line with the forearm. If this causes the elbows to
be held far out from the side of the body then the work surface height should be re-checked.

Screen placement

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The eye to screen distance should be set at the distance that permits the worker to most easily
focus on the screen. Usually this will be within an arm's length. The height of the monitor should
be such that the top of the screen is below eye level and the bottom of the screen can be read
without a marked inclination of the head. Usually this means that the centre of the screen will
need to be near shoulder height.

Desk-top layout

All controls and task materials should be placed within a comfortable reach of both hands so that
there is no unnecessary twisting of any part of the body.

Document holder

The document holder should be placed close to the monitor screen in the position that causes the
least twisting or inclination of the head.

Posture and environment

Workers should change posture at frequent intervals to minimise fatigue and avoid awkward
postures at the extremes of the joint range, especially the wrists. It is best to take frequent short
rest breaks rather than infrequent longer ones ( see the ACTU Policy). Sharp increases in work rate
are to be avoided - changes should be gradual enough to ensure that the workload does not
result in excessive fatigue. After prolonged absences from work the overall duration of periods of
keyboard work should be increased gradually if conditions permit.

Lighting for VDUs

VDUs should be placed to the side of the light source/s, not directly underneath. If possible, desks
should be sited between rows of lights. If the lighting is fluorescent strip lighting, the sides of the
desks should be parallel with the lights. Screens should not be placed near windows but if this is
unavoidable neither the screen nor the operator should face the window.

If the VDU is well away from windows, there are no other sources of bright light and prolonged
desk-work is the norm, a low level of service light of 300 lux should be used. If there are strongly
contrasting light levels, then a moderate level of lighting of 400 - 500 lux may be desirable but
high quality anti-glare screens may be necessary.

Glare and reflection

It is important to detect the presence of glare and reflection. To determine whether there is glare
from overhead lights the seated worker should hold an object such as a book above the eyes at
eyebrow level and establish whether the screen image becomes clearer in the absence of
overhead glare. To detect whether there are reflections from the desk surface the worker should
hold the book above the surface and assess the change in reflected glare from the screen.

A number of ways are available to eliminate or reduce the influence of these reflections:

• Tilting the screen so that the reflections are directed below eye level.

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 • Purchasing a screen with matt or light diffusing surfaces.
• A negative contrast screen (dark characters on light background) will reduce the influence
of these reflections.

Note: Covering the screen with a light diffusing surface or anti-glare screen is no longer
recommended.

If the worker experiences eye discomfort when using a bright screen the following adjustments
should be made:

• Turning the screen brightness down to a comfortable level.

• Looking away into the distance in order to rest the eyes for a short while every ten
minutes or so.
• Changing the text and background colours. Recommended are black characters on white
or yellow background, or yellow on black, white on black, white on blue and green on
white. Avoid red and green and yellow on white.

Using a mouse

A well designed mouse should not cause undue pressure on the wrist and forearm muscles. A
large bulky mouse may keep the wrist continuously bent at an uncomfortable angle. Pressure can
be reduced by releasing the mouse at frequent intervals, by selecting a slim-line, low-profile
mouse and by using the mouse at a comfortable distance from the body.

See also the following Australian Standards:

• AS/NZS 4443: 1997 Office panel systems - Workstations

• AS/NZS 4442: 1997 Office desks

Keyboard equipment and radiation

VDUs emit radiation, particularly visible light which allows the characters on the screen to be seen.
Weak electromagnetic fields and very low levels of other radiation, not visible to the human eye,
can be detected by sensitive instruments. Similar emissions are produced by television receivers.

However, the levels of most radiations and electromagnetic fields emitted from VDUs are much
less than those from natural sources, such as the sun - and are well below levels considered to be
harmful by responsible expert bodies such as th International Radiation Protection Association
(IRPA).

The weak electromagnetic fields produced by television receivers and VDUs extend in all
directions, but their intensity decreases very quickly with distance from the source. A workplace
should be organised to ensure that VDU operators are no closer to any other VDUs than they are
to their own.

Flat screen displays, such as liquid-crystal displays used in some laptop/notebook computers,
produce even smaller amounts of radiation than those which use television type tubes.

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Note: concerns have been raised that radiation from VDUs is a cause of cancer, however research
to date has failed to establish a causal link.

Keyboard and telephone operations

Lightweight adjustable headsets with a volume control should be provided for staff on continuous
keyboard/telephone operation. For continuous, traffic dependent telephone operations a manual
call facility should also be provided.

Activity 12

How would you ensure your workspace is ergonomic?

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 Activity 12

Set up working environment

Physical - Work health and safety and workplace ergonomics (design and function)33

Workplace Ergonomics

The human body is designed to do different activities using different postures like sitting or
standing during the day. Sitting or standing for a long time can be uncomfortable for many
people with injury or disability, and can have an impact on how they do their job.

It is important to minimise the risks or difficulties associated with prolonged postures at work.
Where possible, the job and work environment should be designed to fit the worker.

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all staff are provided with a safe working
environment and have the tools and equipment they need to do their job. This applies to all
employees, whether they have a disability or not.

People come in all shapes and sizes and have different capacities and abilities. Being able to
change a workstation to cater for all peoples’ needs can help reduce the risk of injury as well as
improve staff productivity.

33
Source: Job Access, as at https://www.jobaccess.gov.au/physical2, as on 18th November, 2019.

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The Office

An office workstation usually includes a desk or bench, a chair or stool and equipment to do either
desk or computer based tasks. Adjustable equipment should be considered to allow people to
adapt workstations for support and comfort while being able to productively complete their
required tasks. If only one person uses a workstation, their workspace make up and design may be
simpler than if it is a multi-user workspace.

There are some basic principles that can help when setting up a workstation which include:

Chairs

• adjust the seat height to allow the elbows to fall naturally onto the work surface to prevent
reaching up or hunching over. Feet should be fully supported on the floor or on a footrest
• adjust the seat base to allow the thighs to be approximately parallel or horizontal to the
floor with no excess pressure from the chair on the underside of the thighs or back of the
calves
• adjust the backrest so the lumbar support is positioned in the small curve of the lower
back, and so the back is approximately vertical
• if using armrests, ensure adequate desk clearance to minimise the risk of leaning away
from the chair to work
• it is recommended to trial a range of office chairs for adjustability and comfort prior to
purchase due to personal differences
• If having to sit for prolonged periods, safe work practices should be adopted, including:
o using an ergonomic work position
o changing between sitting, standing and walking on a regular basis
o placing regularly used items within close proximity to avoid overreaching or
having to stand to access objects that are not within easy reach
o doing stretches and work exercises on a regular basis
o taking regular postural breaks, for example, after every 20-30 minutes of sitting,
complete another task requiring walking or standing for 2-3 minutes

Footrests

• footrests can be fixed or adjustable in height and angle. They should support feet without
restricting movement of the chair under the desk

Desks

• most office-based desks are not adjustable, so it is important that chairs are adjustable so
a workstation can be set-up properly
• height adjustable desks can accommodate for multi-use or multi-user workstations or
where someone needs to alter their posture regularly to manage symptoms
• ensure a 45 degree bridging section is used if positioning a computer or tasks in corner-
based workstations to minimise risk of twisting or reaching while working

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Computers and accessories

• monitors should be positioned directly in front of the user, at approximately one arm’s
length from the seated position when keying
• the user’s eyes should be level with the top third of the screen, being able to maintain a
neutral position of the neck when viewing the whole screen
• place screen at right angles to the windows to minimise glare and adjust screen controls
or angle to minimise glare from overhead lights
• keyboards should be positioned directly in front of the user so they can be operated with
the upper arms by the sides of the body, forearms at 90 degree angle and wrists in a
neutral position in line with arm
• keyboards should sit flat on the desk, not angled, to maintain correct wrist position
• mouse should be positioned as close to the keyboard as possible to minimise
overreaching
• hand should be relaxed when using the mouse and rested when the mouse is not in use
• consider swapping mouse use between left and right hands to avoid overuse injuries
• if using a mobile device like a notebook or laptop computer for long periods, a docking
station at an adjustable workstation, or an external mouse and keyboard attachment with
the screen raised can be helpful.

Document holders

• if moving data from hard copy materials to the computer, place the hard copy directly
between the keyboard and monitor on an angled surface
• when doing desk-based work like calculating or reading, position the work on a large
angle board to bring the work surface closer to the user, rather than the user bending
forwards towards the work. This can help to reduce neck, back and eye strain.

Other desk based equipment

• all other equipment used frequently at the workstation should be placed within easy
reach, like the telephone and reference materials. If the phone is used regularly and
computer input is needed at the same time, use of hands free, speaker phone or headset
options are helpful.

Workplace adjustments and solutions

There are many different types of workstations and equipment that can be used at work. When
choosing the most appropriate equipment and adjustments, consider:

• all the tasks a person does at their workstation

• the workspace or layout where the tasks are completed
• any equipment, tools or materials that are used
• an individual’s working posture when completing these tasks
• if several different people need to use the same workstation
• task performance requirements / expectations or work targets.

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Workstations or work areas generally involve an employee working at some form of work surface
and using a range of materials. A person may stand or sit to work. Simple guidelines can be used
for task set-up, equipment storage, work techniques and routines than can help reduce the
physical strain on the body. Some things to consider include:

• store heavy and frequently used items at waist level, and infrequently used equipment
below mid-thigh height or above shoulder height
• set-up work tasks to avoid twisting the spine, bending forwards or reaching away from the
body
• use tools or mechanical equipment such as trolleys, jacks and hoists to reduce the physical
force required to complete tasks
• consider whether the tasks can be done from both a sitting and standing position to allow
for postural change
• consider whether the right equipment is available to undertake all tasks with minimal
physical risk, such as stepladders for accessing higher placed items
• consider postural change and whether the tasks of a job can be rotated or split between
different employees
• can stretch breaks be built into the work routine, especially before and after physically
demanding tasks

Repetitive reaching or overreaching can also have adverse effects on the healthy body.

It is important in each job to minimise the risks or the difficulties associated with overreaching and
twisting. Where possible, the job and work environment should be designed to fit the worker’s
abilities. Workplace set-up should consider:

• place frequently used objects and tools within easy reach and in mid-range of the body
• if a person is sitting, it is recommended they stand (where possible) to reach objects
outside of their comfortable area of reach
• if a person is standing, a step stool or platform may be required to reach objects outside
their comfortable area of reach
• locate hand-operated controls, switches and levers between elbow and shoulder height of
the worker
• removing or eliminating a worker’s requirement to reach through job redesign
o minimisation - decrease the frequency of reaching during the day
o engineering - for example, use of raised work platforms or step stools
o administration - modify work systems and practices, e.g. job rotation, good
housekeeping, location of products in mid-range
o training/supervision - ensuring workers operate equipment safely and adopt safe
work practices

Other safe work practice recommendations include:

• change between work tasks and work postures on a regular basis

• do regular stretches and exercises at work

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Use CAD functions to produce basic drawing elements

Geometry

Create basic geometric objects such as lines, circles, and hatched areas.

You can create a lot of different types of geometric objects in AutoCAD, but you only need to
know a few of them for most 2D drawings.

Tip: If you want to simplify the display while you create geometric objects, press F12 to turn off
dynamic input.

Lines

The line is the most basic and common object in AutoCAD drawings. To draw a line, click the Line
tool.

Alternatively, you can type LINE or just L in the Command window, and then press Enter or the
Spacebar.

Notice the prompt in the Command window for a point location.

To specify the starting point for this line, you would type in the coordinates 0,0. It is a good idea
to locate one corner of your model at 0,0, which is called the origin point. To locate additional
points, you could specify additional X,Y coordinate locations in the drawing area, however more
efficient methods for specifying points are available, and will be presented in the Precision topic.

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After you specify the next point, the LINE command automatically repeats itself, and it keeps
prompting you for additional points. Press Enter or the Spacebar to end the sequence.

The User Coordinate System

The user coordinate system (UCS) icon indicates the direction of the positive X and Y axis for any
coordinates that you enter, and it also defines the horizontal and vertical directions in a drawing.
In some 2D drawings, it can be convenient to click, drag, and rotate the UCS to change the origin
point, and the horizontal and vertical directions.

Grid Display

Some people like working with grid lines as a reference, while others prefer working in a blank
area. To turn off the grid display, press F7. Even with the grid turned off, you can force your cursor
to snap to grid increments by pressing F9.

Lines as Construction Aids

Lines can serve as reference and construction geometry such as

• Property line setbacks

• The mirror line of a symmetrical mechanical part
• Clearance lines to avoid interferences
• Traversal path lines

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Circles

The default option of the CIRCLE command requires you to specify a center point and a radius.

The other circle options are available from the drop-down:

Alternatively, you can also enter CIRCLE or just C in the Command window and click to choose an
option. If you do, you can specify a center point, or you can click one of the highlighted command
options as shown below.

Circles can be useful as reference geometry. For example, you can see that the two doors in the
illustration can interfere with each other.

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 Drawing a circle in AutoCAD34

Drawing a circle in AutoCAD is one of the most fundamentals while learning how to use the
software.

In AutoCAD there are many ways to draw circles, and all these ways depend on your inputs and
the feature you want your future circle to have. The simplest procedure “by default” is to
indicate the center point of your circle and the its radius.

1- Center point and Radius (Using the command windows)

To draw a circle in AutoCAD, you can:

1. Write the word “CIRCLE” on your keyboard. (Just start typing, you will see your word
appearing in the command window)
2. Type “600,600“
3. Type “40“

Remember to hit the ENTER key to validate each stage.

What just happened is; you've drawn a circle of radius 50 and the center of your circle is right at
the point of coordinate (600,600).

2- Center point and Radius

Now you can use this same method to draw a circle but this time not using the command
windows.

34
Source: Computer Aided Design Guide, as at https://www.computeraideddesignguide.com/drawing-a-circle-
in-autocad/, as on 18th November, 2019.

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 1. Click on the circle icon
2. Click on the drawing window to specify the center of your circle
3. Give a value representing the radius of your circle and hit ENTER (or simply click
somewhere on the drawing area as you see what your circle will be when you move
your mouse without clicking)

3- Center point and Diameter

If you noticed while using the 2 methods above, on the second stage, where you did specify the
radius, the command window looked like this

Specify radius of circle or [Diameter] <50.0000>:

In this step, if you had entered “D” , you would have seen this

Specify diameter of circle <12.0000>:

AutoCAD would be asking your the value of the diameter instead of the value of the radius. It is
true that the diameter of a circle is twice its radius, but if you feel more comfortable indicating
the diameter, AutoCAD gives you this alternative.

4- Drawing a circle in an isometric view

Its is sometime a headache to draw a circle in an isometric view and to see the circle having the
expected position. To help draw a circle in an isometric view it is always good to have a 3D face
helping you to harmonize the position of your circle with.

Having a 3D object drawn help you.

Make sure the Dynamic UCS is allowed to be able to use this method.

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It will help you easily get circle on a face you like.

I used those diagonals to help me find the center of the circle, and when allowing the Dynamic
UCS I can easily orientate my circle planar to each face. You can use this technique to draw
circle in isometric view.

You can as well use the UCS command to rotate the UCS if you have to 3D face to use as a
reference.

You can rotate the x, y, or z axis as needed.

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5- Drawing a circle

Each one of these icons can help you draw circle in a totally different way compared to all
methods seen above. You can draw a circle specifying:

Two endpoints of the diameter

3 points of the circle circumference

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 A circle with a specific radius and tangent to two objects

Circle tangent to 3 objects

Polylines and Rectangles

A polyline is a connected sequence of line or arc segments that is created as a single object.

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Use the PLINE command to create open or closed polylines for

• Geometry that needs to have fixed-width segments

• Continuous paths for which you need to know the total length
• Contour lines for topographic maps and isobaric data
• Wiring diagrams and traces on printed circuit boards
• Process and piping diagrams

Polylines can have a constant width or they can have different starting and ending widths. After
you specify the first point of the polyline, you can use the Width option to specify the width of all
subsequently created segments. You can change the width value at any time, even as you create
new segments.

Here is an example of a printed circuit board in which the traces were created with wide polylines.
The landing pads were created with the DONUT command.

Polylines can have different starting and ending widths for each segment as shown here:

A fast way to create closed rectangular polylines is to use the RECTANG command (enter REC in
the Command window).

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Simply click two diagonal points for the rectangle as illustrated. If you use this method, turn on
grid snap (F9) for precision.

Hatches and Fills

In AutoCAD, a hatch is a single, compound object that covers a specified area with a pattern of
lines, dots, shapes, a solid fill color, or a gradient fill.

When you start the HATCH command, the ribbon temporarily displays the Hatch Creation tab. On
this tab, you can choose from more than 70 industry-standard imperial and ISO hatch patterns,
along with many specialized options.

The simplest procedure is to choose a hatch pattern and scale from the ribbon, and click within
any area that is completely enclosed by objects. You need to specify the scale factor for the hatch
to control its size and spacing.

After you create a hatch, you can move the bounding objects to adjust the hatch area, or you can
delete one or more of the bounding objects to create partially bounded hatches:

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Tip: If you set a hatch pattern to be a solid or gradient fill, also consider setting a transparency
level on the Hatch Creation tab for interesting overlap effects.

Here are some examples of how you can use solid-fill hatches:

Tip: If you need to align the pattern in a hatch, which might be the case with the decking boards
above, use the Set Origin option to specify an alignment point.

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Note: If an area is not completely enclosed, red circles display to indicate places to check for gaps.
Enter REDRAW in the Command window to dismiss the red circles.

Precision

Ensure the precision required for your models.

There are several precision features available, including

• Polar tracking. Snap to the closest preset angle and specify a distance along that angle.
• Locking angles. Lock to a single, specified angle and specify a distance along that angle.
• Object snaps. Snap to precise locations on existing objects, such as an endpoint of a
polyline, the midpoint of a line, or the centre point of a circle.
• Grid snaps. Snap to increments in a rectangular grid.
• Coordinate entry. Specify a location by its Cartesian or polar coordinates, either absolute
or relative.

The three most commonly used features are polar tracking, locking angles, and object snaps.

Polar Tracking

When you need to specify a point, such as when you create a line, you can use polar tracking to
guide the movement of your cursor in certain directions.

For example, after you specify the first point of the line below, move your cursor to the right, and
then enter a distance in the Command window to specify a precise horizontal length for the line.

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By default, polar tracking is turned on and guides your cursor in a horizontal or vertical direction
(0 or 90 degrees).

Locking Angles

If you need to draw a line at a specified angle, you can lock the angle for the next point. For
example, if the second point of a line needs to be created at a 45 degree angle, you would enter
<45 in the Command window.

After you move your cursor in the desired direction along the 45-degree angle, you can enter the
length of the line.

Object Snaps

By far, the most important way for you to specify precise locations on objects is to use object
snaps. In the following illustration, several different kinds of object snaps are represented by
markers.

Object snaps become available during a command whenever AutoCAD prompts you to specify a
point. For example, if you start a new line and move your cursor near the endpoint of an existing
line, the cursor will automatically snap to it.

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Set Default Object Snaps

Enter the OSNAP command to set the default object snaps, which are also called "running" object
snaps. For example, you might find it useful to turn on the Midpoint object snap by default.

Recommendations

• At any prompt for a point, you can specify a single object snap that overrides all other
object snap settings. You hold down Shift, right-click in the drawing area, and choose an
object snap from the Object Snap menu. Then move the cursor to select a location on an
object.
• Make sure that you zoom in close enough to avoid mistakes. In a densely populated
model, snapping to the wrong object will result in an error that can propagate throughout
your model.

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Object Snap Tracking

During a command, you can align points both horizontally and vertically from object snap
locations. In the following illustration, you first hover over endpoint 1 and then hover over
endpoint 2. When you move your cursor near location 3, the cursor locks into the horizontal and
vertical location shown.

You can now finish creating the line, circle, or other object that you were creating from that
location.

Activity 13

Summarise the steps to draw a circle

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Verify Your Work

Recheck your geometry to catch mistakes early. Enter the DIST command (or just DI) to measure
the distance between any two points in your model.

For example, you might need to find the clearance between two points shown, which might
represent the corner of a wall and a small table, or perhaps a 2D section of a plastic part and a
wire.

After you enter DIST, click the endpoint on the corner (1). Next, hold down Shift as you right-click,
and then choose Perpendicular from the object snap menu. Finally, click the circle (2).

The number of decimal places and unit style displayed in the result is controlled by the UNITS
command.

Handy Function Key Reference

The keyboard function keys all have assignments in AutoCAD. The ones that are most commonly
turned on and off are indicated with a key.

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Note: F8 and F10 are mutually exclusive—turning either one on will turn the other one off.

Layers

Organize your drawing by assigning objects to layers.

When a drawing becomes visually complex, you can hide the objects that you currently do not
need to see.

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In the drawing below, the doors and electrical wiring were temporarily hidden by turning off their
layers.

You gain this level of control by organizing the objects in your drawing on layers that are
associated with a specific function or a purpose. It might be helpful to think of layers as clear
plastic sheets:

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With layers, you can

• Associate objects by their function or location

• Display or hide all related objects in a single operation
• Enforce linetype, color, and other property standards for each layer

Important: Resist the temptation to create everything on one layer. Layers are the most important
organizing feature available in AutoCAD drawings.

Layer Controls

To see how a drawing is organized, use the LAYER command to open the Layer Properties
Manager. You can either enter LAYER or LA in the Command window, or you can click the Layer
Properties tool on the ribbon.

Here's what the Layer Properties Manager displays in this drawing.

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As indicated, layer 10 WALLS is the current layer. All new objects are automatically placed on that
layer. In the list of layers, the green check next to layer 10 WALLS confirms that it is the current
layer.

In the column labeled On, notice that the light bulb icons for two layers are dark. These layers
were turned off to hide the doors and electrical wiring in the floor plan.

Notice that each layer name starts with a two-digit number. This convention makes it easy to
control the order of the layers because their order does not depend on the alphabet.

Tip: For complex drawings, you might want to consider a more elaborate layer naming standard.
For example, layer names could begin with 3 digits followed by a naming code that
accommodates multiple floors in a building, project numbers, sets of survey and property data,
and so on.

Practical Recommendations

• Layer 0 is the default layer that exists in all drawings and has some esoteric properties.
Instead of using this layer, it's best to create your own layers with meaningful names.
• Any drawing that contains at least one dimension object automatically includes a reserved
layer named Defpoints.
• Create a layer for behind-the-scenes construction geometry, reference geometry, and
notes that you usually do not need to see or print.
• Create a layer for layout viewports. Information about layout viewports is covered in the
Layouts topic.

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 • Create a layer for all hatches and fills. This lets you to turn them all on or off in one action.

Layer Settings

The following are the most commonly used layer settings in the Layer Properties Manager. You
click the icon to turn the setting on and off.

• Turn off layers. You turn off layers to reduce the visual complexity of your drawing while
you work.

• Freeze layers. You freeze layers that you do not need to access for a while. Freezing layers
is similar to turning them off, but improves performance in very large drawings.

• Lock layers. You lock layers when you want to prevent accidental changes to the objects
on those layers. Also, the objects on locked layers appear faded, which helps reduce the
visual complexity of your drawing, but still lets you see the objects faintly.

• Set default properties. You set the default properties for each layer, including color,
linetype, lineweight, and transparency. New objects that you create will use these
properties unless you override them. Overriding layer properties is explained later in this
topic.

Controls in the Layer Properties Manager

To create a new layer, click the button shown and enter the name of the new layer. To make a
different layer the current one, click the layer and then click the indicated button.

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Quick Access to Layer Settings

The Layer Properties Manager takes up a lot of space, and you don't always need to access all the
options. For quick access to the most common layer controls, use the controls on the ribbon.
When no objects are selected, the Layers panel on the Home tab displays the name of the current
layer as shown here.

Occasionally, check to make sure that the objects you create will be on the correct layer. It's easy
to forget to do this, but it's also easy to set. Click the drop-down arrow to display a list of layers,
and then click a layer on the list to make it the current layer. You can also click on any icon in the
list to change its setting.

Maintain Your Standards

It's critically important either to establish or to conform to a company-wide layer standard. With a
layer standard, drawing organization will be more logical, consistent, compatible, and
maintainable over time and across departments. Layer standards are essential for team projects.

If you create a standard set of layers and save them in a drawing template file, those layers will be
available when you start a new drawing, and you can start working immediately. Additional
information about drawing template files is presented in the Basics topic.

Summary

Layers organize your drawing, enabling you to temporarily suppress the display of unneeded
graphical data. You can also assign default properties such as color and linetype to each layer.

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Activity 14

When is it beneficial to use multiple layers in AutoCAD?

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 Activity 14

Properties

You can assign properties such as colour and linetype to individual objects, or as default
properties assigned to layers.

In the following drawing, the walls, exterior stone facing, doors, fixtures, cabinetry, HVAC,
electrical, and text were created using different colours to help differentiate between them.

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The Properties Palette

The Properties palette is an essential tool. You can open it with the PROPERTIES command (enter
PR in the Command window), you can press Ctrl + 1, or you can click the tiny arrow in the
Properties panel on the Home tab—whichever you prefer.

The Properties palette displays a list of all the important property settings. You can click any of the
available fields to change the current settings. In the following example, if no objects are selected,
the current colour will be changed from ByLayer to Red and the UCS icon will be turned off.

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Verify and Change Object Properties

You can use the Properties palette to verify and change property settings for selected objects. If
you click an object in your drawing to select it, here is what you might see in the Properties
palette.

Notice that the current properties for the selected object are displayed in the palette. You can
change any of these properties by clicking and changing the setting.

A property that is set to "ByLayer" inherits its setting from the layer. In the previous example, the
objects that were created on the 20 ELECTRICAL layer are purple because that is the default
colour of the objects on that layer.

If you select several objects, only their common properties are listed in the Properties palette. If
you change one of these properties, all the selected objects will change in one operation.
Selecting objects is covered in more detail in the Modifying topic.

Note: To clear the current selection, press Esc.

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Quick Access to Property Settings

The Properties palette takes up a lot of space. For quick access to the most common properties,
use the Properties panel. As you can see in this example, the listed properties will all be
determined by the current layer.

The Properties panel works the same way as the Properties palette. When you select an object,
the current property settings are replaced by the properties assigned to the selected object, and
you can use this panel to easily change the properties of one of more selected objects.

Match the Properties of Objects

For a fast way to copy the properties of a selected object to other objects, use the Match
Properties tool, or enter MATCHPROP or MA in the Command window.

Select the source object, and then select all of the objects that you want to modify.

Linetypes

Dashed and other non-continuous linetypes are assigned from the Properties panel. You must first
load a linetype before you can assign it.

In the Linetype drop-down list, click Other.

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This action displays the Linetype Manager dialog box.

Perform the following steps in order:

1. Click Load. Choose one or more linetypes that you want to use. Notice that dashed (non-
continuous) linetypes come in several preset sizes.
2. Click Show/Hide details to display additional settings.
3. Specify a different "global scale factor" for all linetypes—the larger the value, the longer
the dashes and spaces. Click OK.

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Once you've loaded the linetypes that you plan to use, you can select any object and specify a
linetype from the Properties panel or the Properties palette. Alternatively, you can specify a
default linetype for any layer in the Layer Properties Manager.

Lineweights

The Lineweight property provides a way to display different thicknesses for selected objects. The
thickness of the lines remain constant regardless of the scale of the view. In a layout, lineweights
are always displayed and printed in real-world units.

Lineweights can also be assigned from the Properties panel.

You can leave the lineweight set to ByLayer, or you can specify a value that overrides the layer's
lineweight. In some cases, the lineweight previews look the same because they are displayed in
approximated pixel widths on a monitor. However, they will print at the correct thickness.

Tip: It's usually best to leave lineweights turned off while you work. Heavy lineweights can obscure
nearby objects when you use object snaps. You might want to turn them for checking purposes
just before you print.

To control the display of lineweights, click the Lineweight Settings button at the bottom of the
lineweight list. In the Lineweight Settings dialog box, you can choose whether you want to display
or hide lineweights.

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Regardless of the display setting, lineweights will always be printed at the correct scale.

Isometric Drafting? (AutoCAD)35

In this section, we are going to show you the basic of Isometric drafting in AutoCAD

Step 1:

Now first of all you need to know what is actually Isometric Drafting?

Well it is all in 2D,you draw lines, circles and by this way you can draw a 2D and make it
look like a 3D,but it is all on one plane and it does not matter if it is TOP,RIGHT or FRONT.

Step 2:

35
Source: GrabCAD, as at https://grabcad.com/tutorials/what-is-isometric-drafting-autocad, as on 19th
November, 2019.

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 How to turn on Isometric Drafting?

In newer versions of AutoCAD there is an icon at the bottom with ORTHO, POLAR and
those features so you are automatically in Iso mode.

I have an older version of AutoCAD and if you have too then right click on GRID icon and
choose Settings.

Step 3:

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 In this window check Isometric snap .It is at default on Rectangular snap.

Step 4:

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 You will notice how your cursor will change. The cursor represents the planes (Top, Right,
Left) which you can change by pressing F5.

Now if you choose Line command you will see that it does not go vertical or horizontal
like usual but it goes down Y and X axis on plane you are currently on,

Try it and you will see how it changes while you are drawing, but remember it is all on one
plane (View),it will look like 3D if you form a nice shape but it id all 2D.

Step 5:

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 Here is the example, I am on TOP view and this looks like a 3D but it is not ;)

Step 6:

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 When I choose SE Isometric view you realize that it is just a 2D drawing which would be
harder to draw if we did not use Isometric Drafting

Worked Example:

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How to draw hexagon bolt36

In this section you’ll learn how to draw hexagon bolt.

1. Open a new drawing. Click New

2. Make sure Ortho mode is OFF, (it ON when it glow in blue, OFF in grey)

click the icon to turn it ON or OFF. (or press F8 to toggle)

3. Type z [Space bar], type e [Space bar]. This will zoom extents your drawing area.

4. Make sure you have this requirement Layers for your drawing.

36
Source: AutoCAD Tutorials, as at http://www.autocadtutorials.net/how-to-draw-hexagon-bolt/, as on 19th
November, 2019.

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5. Make sure layer 0 is selected as current layer.

6. Click Draw>Polygon,

7. Enter number of sides, type 6 [Enter].

8. Specify center of the polygon, type 0,0 [Enter].

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9. Click on Circumscribed about circle.

Polygon tips

10. Move cursor to the left and type @0.2<0 [Enter] as polygon radius.

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11. Click Circle, specify center of the circle at center of the polygon. Type 0,0 [Enter].

Specify radius of the circle to 0.125. Type 0.125 [Enter].

12. Click Line, draw 3 lines similar like this;

13. Click Offset, offset it to 0.175, type 0.175 [Enter].

select the vertical line and

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Click right side as offset side.

Press [Esc] few times to end offset command.

14. Click Trim , select right to left (green box) as shown.

Click [Enter] to confirm selection, click on outer edge of each lines to trim it off.

Press [Esc] few times to end trim command.

15. Click Offset , set offset distance to 1.

Click on right edge as object to be offset,

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click on right side as offset side.

Press [Esc] few times to end offset command.

16. Click Line , draw line from right to left midpoint (make sure object snap is turn on and
midpoint snap is activated).

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17. Click Offset , set offset distance to 0.125,

select the center line as object to be offset

click on top side as offset side. Repeat this step for offset the bottom line.

Press [Esc] few times to end offset command.

17. Click Trim , select right to left (green box) as shown.

Click [Enter] to confirm selection, click on outer edge of each lines to trim it off.

Press [Esc] few times to end trim command.

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18. Click on the center line,

stretch both end of the line as shown;

19. Click Offset , set offset as through, type t [Enter].

Click bottom edge,

type m [Enter], to offset multiple.

Click on hexagon corner as reference point of the offsets.

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Press [Esc] few times to end offset command.

20. Click on circle edge

and change the layer to HIDDEN layer.

21. Click on center line

and change the layer to CENTER LINE layer.

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22. Change current layer to DIM layer,

click Linear,

click on drawing corners and pull out the dimension as shown;

23. Did you notice the bolt diameter symbol is missing? How to add diameter symbol? Double
click on 0.25 dimension, dimension properties pop up and look for text properties.

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At text override enter %%C<> [Enter] and close [x]. Your dimension now have the diameter
symbol.

Your hexagon bolt is complete.

How to hatch37

In this section you’ll learn how to hatch.

1. Open a new drawing. Click New

2. Make sure Ortho mode is ON, (it ON when it glow in blue)

click the icon to turn it ON or OFF. (or press F8 to toggle)

3. Type z [Space bar], e [Space bar]. This will zoom extents your drawing area.

37
Source: AutoCAD Tutorials, as at http://www.autocadtutorials.net/how-to-hatch/, as on 19th November,
2019.

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4. Activate rectangle command. Click Rectangle.

5. Specify first corner point of the rectangle at 0,0. Type 0,0 [Enter].

6. Move your cursor to right side and specify other corner point at 10,6. Type 10,6 [Enter].

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7. Click Hatch,

point and click inside of the rectangle as hatching area [Enter].

8. Done.

Use editing and transfer tools and methods to modify drawing elements

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Modifying

Perform editing operations such as erase, move, and trim on the objects in a drawing.

The most common of these tools are located on the Modify panel of the Home tab. Take a
minute to look through them.

Erase

To erase an object, use the ERASE command. You can enter E in the Command window, or click
the Erase tool. When you see the cursor change to a square pickbox, click each object that you
want to erase, and then press Enter or the Spacebar.

Note: Alternatively, before you enter any command, you can select several objects and then press
the Delete key. Experienced users often use this method as well.

Select Multiple Objects

Sometimes you need to select a large number of objects. Instead of selecting each object
individually, you can select the objects in an area by clicking an empty location (1), moving your
cursor right or left, and then clicking a second time (2).

• With a crossing selection, any objects within or touching the green area are selected.
• With a window selection, only the objects completely contained within the blue area are
selected.

The result is called the selection set, the set of objects that will be processed by a command.

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Tip: You can easily remove objects from the selection set. For example, if you select 42 objects,
and two of them should not have been selected, hold down Shift and then select the two that you
want to remove. Then, press Enter or the Spacebar, or right click to end the selection process.

Note: Clicking and dragging results in a different selection method called lasso selection.

Move and Copy

Here's how you would use the COPY command to lay out a row of decorative tiles. Starting with a
polyline that represents its shape, you need to make copies that are 1/8" apart.

You click the Copy tool or enter CP in the Command window to start the command. From here,
you can choose between two methods, depending on what's more convenient. You will use these
two methods frequently.

The Distance Method

The second tile needs to be a total of 9-7/8" + 1/8" = 10" to the right of the original tile. So, you
select the tile, press Enter or the Spacebar to end your selection, and click anywhere in the
drawing area (1). This point does not have to be located on the tile.

Next, you move your cursor to the right, relying on the polar tracking angle to keep the direction
horizontal, and then enter 10 for the distance. Press Enter or the Spacebar a second time to end
the command.

The specified distance and a direction from a point (1) is applied to the tile that you selected.

The Two Points Method

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Another method, one that you will often use when you don't want to add numbers together,
requires two steps. You start the COPY command and select the tile as before, but this time you
click the two endpoints as shown. These two points also define a distance and direction.

Next, to add the 1/8" space between the tiles, click the Move tool or enter M in the Command
window. The MOVE command is similar to the COPY command. Select the newly copied tile, and
press Enter or the Spacebar. As before, click anywhere in the drawing area and move your cursor
to the right. Enter 1/8 or .125 for the distance.

Tip: The two points that define the distance and direction don't need to be located on the object
that you want to copy. You can use two points specified anywhere in your model.

Create Multiple Copies

You can use the two-points method as a repeating sequence. Let's say that you want to make
more copies of the circle at the same horizontal distance. You start the COPY command and
select the circle as shown.

Then, using the Center object snap, click the center of circle 1, followed by the center of circle 2,
and so on.

For larger numbers of copies, try experimenting with the Array option of the COPY command. For
example, here's a linear arrangement of deep foundation piles. From a base point, you specify
number of copies and the center-to-center distance.

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Offset

Most models include a lot of parallel lines and curves. Creating them is easy and efficient with the
OFFSET command. Click the OFFSET tool or enter O in the Command window.

Select the object (1), specify the offset distance, and click to indicate on which side of the original
that you want the result (2). Here is an example of offsetting a polyline.

Tip: A fast way to create concentric circles is to offset them.

Trim and Extend

A popular technique is to use the OFFSET command in combination with the TRIM and EXTEND
commands. In the Command window, you can enter TR for TRIM or EX for EXTEND. Trimming
and extending are some of the most commonly used operations.

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In the following illustration, you want to extend the lines that represent the steps for this deck. You
start the Extend command, select the boundary, and then press Enter or the Spacebar.

Pressing Enter or the Spacebar indicates that you've finished selecting the boundaries, and that
you're now ready to select the objects to be extended.

Tip: A faster method is to press Enter or the Spacebar right away instead of selecting any
boundary objects. The result is that all objects are available as possible boundaries.

Next, you select the objects to be extended (near the ends to be extended), and then you press
Enter or the Spacebar to end the command.

The result is that the lines are extended to the boundary.

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The TRIM command follows the same steps, except that when you select the objects to trim, you
select the portions to trim away.

Mirror

The following illustration comes from a tile project. The walls in this residential bathroom are
flattened out to be able to lay out the tile pattern and estimate the number of tiles needed.

You can save a lot of work by taking advantage of the symmetry between the left and right walls.
All you need to do is create the tiles on one wall and then mirror the wall across the center of the
room.

In the example below, you start the MIRROR command (or enter MI in the Command window),
use window selection (1 and 2) to select the geometry on the right wall, press Enter or the

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Spacebar, and then specify a mirror line (3 and 4) corresponding to the centerline of the
bathroom.

Finally, decline the option to "Erase source objects" by pressing Enter or the Spacebar.

Tip: Always look for symmetry to save yourself extra work, even if the symmetry is not 100%
identical.

Stretch

You can stretch most geometric objects. This lets you lengthen and shorten parts of your model.
For example, this model might be a gasket or the design for a public park.

Use the STRETCH command (or enter S in the Command window) and select the objects with a
crossing selection as shown below (1 and 2). The crossing selection is mandatory—only the
geometry that is crossed by the crossing selection is stretched. Then click anywhere in the drawing
area (3), move the cursor to the right, and enter 50 as the distance. This distance might represent
millimeters or feet.

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To shorten the model by a specified amount, you'd move your cursor to the left instead.

Fillet

The FILLET command (enter F in the Command window) creates a rounded corner by creating an
arc that is tangent to two selected objects. Notice that the fillet is created relative to where you
select the objects.

You can create a fillet between most types of geometric objects, including lines, arcs, and polyline
segments.

Tip: If you specify 0 (zero) as the radius of the fillet (imagine a circle shrinking to a radius of 0), the
result trims or extends the selected objects to a sharp corner.

Explode

The EXPLODE command (enter X in the Command window) disassociates a compound object into
its component parts. You can explode objects such as polylines, hatches, and blocks (symbols).

After you explode a compound object, you can modify each resulting individual object.

Edit Polylines

You can choose from several useful options when you want to modify a polyline. The PEDIT
command (enter PE in the Command window) is located on the drop-down list of the Modify
panel.

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With this command, you can

• Join two polylines into a single polyline if they share a common endpoint
• Convert lines and arcs into a polyline—simply enter PEDIT and select the line or arc
• Change the width of a polyline

Tip: In some cases, the easiest method to modify a polyline is to explode it, make the
modifications, and then turn the objects back into a polyline using the Join option of the PEDIT
command.

Grips

Grips are displayed when you select an object without starting a command. Grips are often handy
for light editing. For example, the line below accidentally snapped to the wrong endpoint. You can
select the misaligned line, click on a grip and then click to specify the correct location.

By default, when you click a grip, you automatically start in **STRETCH** mode as indicated in the
Command window. If you want to explore other ways of editing objects with grips, press Enter or
the Spacebar to cycle through several other editing modes. Some people perform most editing
operations using grips.

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Create Blocks in AutoCAD38

What are Blocks in AutoCAD?

The term “Blocks” is used in AutoCAD to describe repeatable items that you place in your
drawings. Also, sometimes called Symbols. So the terms “Block Library”, and “Symbol Library”
basically mean the same thing in AutoCAD.
There are two main reasons why we use blocks in our AutoCAD drawings. The first reason
is speed, once we draw a symbol, we will never have to draw it again. We just have to select
it and drop it into our drawing so we’re working faster putting our drawings together. The
second reason is file size, using blocks will greatly reduce the file size of your saved drawing,
which in turn helps many of your drawing tasks go faster. It’s ALL about working
FASTER!
Understanding the Block Environment in AutoCAD
Once you create an object in your drawing it can be changed into a named block.
In the example below we’ll use the chair. Once it’s drawn from scratch we can
block it.
You use the command “BLOCK” to turn the chair into a named block.

Using Layer “0” and Blocks in AutoCAD

Layer “0” (zero) has special properties in an AutoCAD drawing when it comes to
blocks. When a set of objects is on layer “0” and you block them, the new block
will have a special characteristic of being able to change to the color and the

38
Source: Archblocks, as at https://www.archblocks.com/free-autocad-tutorials/how-to-create-blocks-in-
autocad, as on 17th November, 2019.

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linetype of any layer you place it on. Sort of like a Chameleon.
Basic Rule for creating Blocks: Create all your blocks on layer “0”.

Using the Block Command.

Creating Blocks in AutoCAD is very easy. First you need to draw all the parts that will make up
your
block. Remember, to draw all the objects on Layer “0”. When you’re ready to make your block,
select
the Create button in the Block section of the Insert tab on the ribbon menu.

When you select the Create button, the Block Definition dialog box opens. There are 3 main steps
to
create the block.
1st Step: Type in the Name you want to give the block.
2nd Step: Select a Pick (base) point on the block to define it’s insertion point.
3rd Step: Select all the objects that you want to be included in the block.

Once your block is made, it is added to the database of this drawing. When you enter the Insert
command,
the Insert dialog box appears. You can type in a block name, or select the pop down list to see
all the blocks available in this drawing.
When you’ve selected a block name, basically just select OK, and the block will appear on your

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crosshairs
and you can pick a point in the drawing that you want to place it.

Apply dimensions, text and symbols to drawing elements

Insert symbols and details into your drawings from commercial online sources or from your own
designs.

In AutoCAD, a block is a collection of objects that are combined into a single named object. The
following are some sample blocks at various scales.

Some of these blocks are realistic representations of objects, some are symbols, and one of them
is an architectural title block for a D-size drawing.

Insert a Block

Typically, each of these blocks is an individual drawing file, perhaps saved in a folder with similar
drawing files. When you need to insert one into your current drawing file, you use the INSERT
command (or enter I in the Command window).

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The first time you insert the drawing as a block, you need to click Browse to locate the drawing
file. Make sure you organize your blocks into easy-to-find folders.

Once inserted, the block definition is stored in your current drawing. From then on, you can
choose it from the Name drop-down list without needing to click the Browse button.

Tip: The default settings in the Insert dialog box are usually acceptable. After you choose the block
name, click OK, and then specify its location in your drawing. You can rotate it later, if necessary.

Notice that when you insert a block, it is attached to your cursor at the point indicated. This
location is called the insertion point. By default, the insertion point is the origin point (0,0) of the
original drawing.

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After inserting the block, you can select it and a grip appears. You can easily move and rotate this
block using this grip.

In the following example, a drawing file is inserted into the current drawing to provide a standard
detail view.

Note: Inserting a drawing file as a block provides a static reference to the specified drawing. For a
reference that automatically updates, you can attach the drawing with the External References
palette (XREF command) instead.

Create a Block Definition

Instead of creating a drawing file to be inserted as a block, you might want to create a block
definition directly in your current drawing. Use this method if you do not plan to insert the block
into any other drawing. In that case, use the BLOCK command to create the block definition.

For example, this is how you could create a module for a cubicle design.

1. Create the objects for the block.

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 2. Start the BLOCK command.
3. Enter a name for the block, in this case Quad-Cube.
4. Select the objects that you created for the block (click 1 and 2).
5. Specify the block insertion point.

You can enter the information for steps 3, 4, and 5 into the Block Definition dialog box in any
order.

After creating the block definition, you can insert, copy, and rotate the block as needed.

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Using the EXPLODE command, you can explode a block back to its component objects if you
need to make changes. In the illustration below, the cubicle on the right was exploded and
modified.

In this example, you would probably create a new block definition from the objects in the
exploded block.

Note: You can create block definitions that include one or more attributes that store and display
information. The command that you would use is ATTDEF. Typically, attributes include data such
as part number, name, cost, and date. You can export block attribute information to a table or to
an external file.

Recommendations

There are several different schemes for saving and retrieving block definitions.

• You can create an individual drawing file for each block that you intend to use. You save
these drawing files in folders, each of which would contain a family of related drawing files.
• You can include the block definitions for title blocks and common symbols in your drawing
template files to make them available immediately when starting a new drawing.
• You can create several drawing files, which are sometimes called block library drawings.
Each of these drawings contains a family of related block definitions. When you insert a
block library drawing into your current drawing, all the blocks that are defined in that
drawing become available.

Tip: With online access, you can download AutoCAD drawing files from the web sites of
commercial vendors and suppliers. This can save you time, but always check to make sure that
they are drawn correctly and to scale. Autodesk Seek (http://seek.autodesk.com/) is a convenient
way of accessing BIM (building information modelling) libraries.

Notes and Labels

Create notes, labels, bubbles, and callouts. Save and restore style settings by name.

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You create general notes using the MTEXT command (or enter MT in the Command window),
which stands for multiline text. The multiline text tool is available on the Annotation panel.

After you start the MTEXT command, you are prompted to create a "text box" with two diagonal
clicks.

The exact size of the text box is not that important. After you specify the text box, the In-Place
Editor is displayed and you can easily change the length and width of the note before, during, or
after typing the text.

All the usual controls are available in the In-Place Editor, including tabs, indents, and columns.
Also notice that when you start the MTEXT command, the ribbon temporarily changes, displaying
many options such as text styles, columns, spell checking, and so on.

• To exit the text editor after you finish entering the text, click anywhere outside it.
• To edit a note, simply double-click it to open the text editor.

Tip: You can use the Properties palette to control the text style used for one or more selected
multiline text objects. For example, after selecting five notes that use different styles, click the Style
column and choose a style from the list.

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Create a Text Style

As with several other annotation features, multiline text provides a lot of settings. You can save
these settings as a text style using the STYLE command, and then you can access the text styles
you've saved by clicking the drop-down arrow on the Annotation panel. The current text style is
displayed at the top of the drop-down list.

To create a new text style, click the Text Style control as shown.

When you create a new text style, you give it a name, and then choose a font and a font style. The
order in which you click the buttons is shown below:

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Tip: Save any new or changed text styles in your drawing template files. This will save you a lot of
time by making them available in all new drawings.

Multileaders

Multileader objects are used to create text with leader lines such as general labels, reference
labels, bubbles, and callouts.

Create a Multileader

To create a multileader, use the MLEADER command. Click the Multileader tool in the Annotation
panel or enter MLD in the Command window. Follow the prompts and options in the Command
window. Feel free to experiment.

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After you create a multileader, select it and then modify it by clicking and moving its grips.

Grip menus appear when you hover over arrowhead and leader grips. From these menus, you can
add leader segments or additional leaders.

You can edit the text in a multileader by double-clicking it.

Create a Multileader Style

You can create your own multileader styles from the drop-down list in the expanded Annotation
panel, or by entering MLEADERSTYLE in the Command window.

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For example, to create a "detail callout" style, start the MLEADERSTYLE command. In the
Multileader Styles Manager, click New and choose a descriptive name for the new multileader
style. Click the Content tab, choose Block, and then Detail Callout as shown.

Note: As with text styles, once you create one or more multileader styles, save them in your
drawing template files.

Activity 15

What are mutileaders and what are they used for?

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 Activity 15

Dimensions

Create several types of dimensions and save dimension settings by name.

Here is an example of several types of dimensions using an architectural dimension style with
imperial units.

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Linear Dimensions

You can create horizontal, vertical, aligned, and radial dimensions with the DIM command. The
type of dimension depends on the object that you select and the direction that you drag the
dimension line.

The following illustration demonstrates one method for using the DIM command. Once you start
the command, press Enter or the Spacebar, select the line (1), and then click the location of the
dimension line (2).

For the 8'-0" dimension below, you use another method. You start the DIM command, click two
endpoints (1 and 2) and then the location of the dimension line (3). To line up the dimension lines
point 3 was snapped to the endpoint of the previously created dimension line.

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Tip: If points 1 and 2 are not on the same horizontal line, press Shift to force the dimension line to
be horizontal. In addition, if the building or part being dimensioned is at an angle, enter
DIMROTATED for that case.

Use the DIM command to create dimensions that are parallel to an object by dragging the
dimension line at an angle rather than horizontally or vertically.

Tip: Because it is easy to accidentally snap to the wrong feature or to part of a dimension object,
be sure to zoom in closely enough to avoid confusion.

Modify Dimensions

For simple adjustments to dimensions, nothing is faster than using grips.

In this example, you select the dimension to display its grips. Next, click the grip on the dimension
text and drag it to a new location, or click one of the grips at the end of the dimension line and
drag the dimension line.

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Tip: If the changes are more complicated than this, it might be faster simply to delete and then
recreate the dimension.

Dimension Styles

Dimension styles help establish and enforce drafting standards. There are many dimension
variables that can be set with the DIMSTYLE command to control virtually every nuance of the
appearance and behavior of dimensions. All these settings are stored in each dimension style.

The default dimension style is named either Standard (imperial) or ISO-25 (metric). It is assigned
to all dimensions until you set another style as the current dimension style.

The current dimension style name, Hitchhiker in this case, is displayed in the drop-down list of the
Annotation panel.

To open the Dimension Style Manager, click the indicated button. You can create dimension styles
that match nearly any standard, but you will need to invest time to specify them completely. For
this reason, you should save any dimension styles that you create in one or more drawing
template files.

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Recommendations

• When you save a dimension style, choose a descriptive name.

• If applicable, check with your CAD manager regarding existing dimension style standards
and drawing template files.

Import and export files into/out of working space

Export your drawing using the Clean Export tool

You can quickly export a clean version of your dr39awing using our Clean Export tool:

39
Source: LandFX, as at https://www.landfx.com/docs/admin/drawing-setup/item/1147-drawing-
cleanup.html, as on 18th November, 2019.

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F/X Admin ribbon, Clean Export flyout

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 F/X Admin menu, Clean Export option

Manage ribbon, Clean Export button (F/X CAD only)

or type AECTOACAD in the Command line

You'll now have a completely clean version of your drawing, with a filename ending in -CLEANED,
in the location where you originally saved your drawing.

To Open or Import AutoCAD DWG Files as an AnyCAD Reference Model

Open an AutoCAD file directly as an Associative DWG and create 3D Inventor models of 2D
layouts.

The following workflows are available:

• Open an AutoCAD DWG to view, plot, and measure the file contents. Objects display
exactly as they do in AutoCAD.
• Import AutoCAD DWG files using the DWG/DXF File Wizard.
• Import or place an AutoCAD DWG file into a part or assembly file to produce an
associative underlay.
o Use the Project DWG Geometry command to project DWG underlay geometry
and then extrude the projected sketch.
o Create 3D Inventor models based on the DWG geometry created in AutoCAD.
o The 3D model created in Inventor will associatively update when the 2D geometry
changes in AutoCAD.
o In an assembly file, use the Joint and Constrain command to create relationships
between a DWG underlay geometry and a part or assembly.

Open DWG files

To open an AutoCAD DWG file directly in Inventor:

• File Open Import CAD Formats.

• Get Started tab Launch panel Import CAD Formats
• Get Started tab Launch panel Open

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Import or place associative DWG Underlay files into a part or assembly

To import a DWG into a part:

1. Manage tab Insert panel Import

Optionally, 3D Model tab Create panel Import

2. In the applicable dialog box, set the Files of type to view the available files.
3. Select the file to import and click open.

To place a DWG in an assembly:

1. Assemble tab Component panel Place

2. In the Place Component dialog box, select your file and click Open.
3. Place the DWG in the graphics window of your design.

Use the Project DWG Geometry command to project DWG underlay geometry and then extrude
the projected sketch.

After you project DWG block geometry you can extrude the DWG geometry and create 3D
features as desired.

Tip: To quickly open your AutoCAD DWG file back in AutoCAD, right click on the DWG node in
the model browser and select Open in AutoCAD from the context menu.

Import or place non-associative DWG files into a part or assembly

• In the Sketch environment, select the Sketch tab Insert panel Insert.

Import an AutoCAD drawing to Visio

You can import an AutoCAD drawing into a Visio diagram, and then overlay shapes to give it
more meaning. Generally, here’s how you import: Click Insert > CAD Drawing. Then select the
AutoCAD file, specify the scale and layer options, and the drawing will appear on the page. If you
need more information along the way, this article explains each step of the process.

AutoCAD versions supported

If you are a subscriber of Visio Online Plan 2, you can import a .dwg or .dxf file from AutoCAD
versions 2007 through 2017. If you are not a subscriber, make sure to save the file as an AutoCAD
2007 .dwg or .dxf file before importing.

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Preparing for an AutoCAD import

If you want to work in the same scale as the AutoCAD file, we recommend preparing for an
AutoCAD import first. Then come back to this page and continue the import process.

Import an AutoCAD drawing

1. On the Insert tab, click CAD Drawing.

2. Locate the .dwg or .dxf file and then click Open. The CAD Drawing Properties dialog will
appear.
3. If you want to work in the same scale as the AutoCAD file, set the CAD drawing scale to
match the viewport scale in AutoCAD.

Note: If you calculated an adjusted page scale when preparing for import, do not specify
that scale here. You only use the adjusted page scale in Page Setup, not during import.

4. Look at the page preview on the right. The grey box is the space the AutoCAD drawing
will occupy. The white box is the page. If it looks like this, then you’re in good shape:

If the AutoCAD drawing is extended past the page, this means the drawing will be larger
than the page of the diagram. If this is the case, do one of the following:

o Verify the viewport scale in AutoCAD, and make sure it is the same as the scale
specified here.
o Verify the viewport scale in AutoCAD, and make sure it is specified in Page Setup
prior to importing the file.
o If you calculated an adjusted page scale when you prepared for import, make sure
it is specified in Page Setup prior to importing the file.
o If the Visio page scale is what you want, and you want the AutoCAD file to fit, then
click Custom Scale. Change the scale of the AutoCAD drawing to accommodate
the page. If you are unsure of what the result will look like, click Apply before
clicking OK. Doing that will update the preview image before importing the file.
o You can also accept the overextended AutoCAD drawing by clicking OK. Then
later, you can crop the AutoCAD drawing.
5. If necessary, click the Layer tab and change the properties of the layers. Then click OK to
insert the drawing. You can always unlock the drawing and change AutoCAD layer
properties later if you want.

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 Does it seem like nothing happens after import? Zoom out and you may see the entire
drawing more easily. If it's too large or too small to work with, then we recommend
preparing for import first.

Prepare for an AutoCAD import

Visio Professional 2019 Visio Standard 2019 Visio Professional 2016 More...

If you want Visio’s drawing scale to match the drawing scale of an imported AutoCAD drawing,
then you’ll want to prepare for the import. There are properties to set in AutoCAD, and there
are properties to set in Visio. This article will walk you through the process.

Set properties in AutoCAD

Prior to importing the AutoCAD drawing into Visio, you should do a few things in AutoCAD. If
you do not have access to the AutoCAD program, ask the creator of the file to do the following:

Step 1: Select a layout

Select a layout tab that will work best in Visio, and then save the AutoCAD file. Later, when you
import the file into Visio, this will be the layout that is imported. Please note that Visio requires a
layout tab with a viewport. Don’t select the Model tab, because this tab doesn’t have a
viewport.

Step 2: Identify the viewport scale

On the layout tab, select a viewport, and then make a note of the drawing scale in the lower-
right corner. If this is currently set to Scale to fit, we recommend setting this to a standard scale
instead. Choosing a standard scale makes working with the drawing easier in Visio. For
example, choose a standard metric scale like 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, etc. For an imperial scale, choose 1/4" =
1’ 0", 1/2" = 1’, and so on.

Tip: Jot down this scale on a piece of paper, because you will use it later when importing the
drawing into Visio.

Step 3: Identify drawing units

In AutoCAD, type Units, and then press ENTER. Make sure that a standard unit of measurement
like millimeters or inches is specified.

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Step 4: Check plot settings

1. Now you’ll check the plot settings. Press CTRL+P.

2. Make a note of the paper size and orientation. You’ll use the same size and orientation
in Visio.
3. Under Plot Scale, look for the units specified under Scale. If the units are the same as
the drawing units identified above, skip to step 6 below. If the units are different, go to
step 5.

Step 5: Determine an adjusted page scale for Visio

This step is only necessary if the AutoCAD drawing units are different from the plot units. If
they're the same, skip to step 6 below. If they differ, this means that there is a second scale in
the drawing called a plot scale. Although this works fine in AutoCAD, Visio may not display the
drawing as you expect. To work around this problem, you’ll do a simple calculation to arrive at
an adjusted page scale for Visio. You won’t use this adjusted scale in AutoCAD. You only use it
when setting the page scale in Visio, prior to importing the drawing.

To arrive at the adjusted scale, multiply the viewport scale by the plot scale. Here’s a typical
example of how to calculate the adjusted page scale for metric units:

• Viewport scale: 1:10

• Drawing units: Centimeters
• Plots units: Millimeters
• Plot scale: 1 mm = 1 cm. Or, the plot scale expressed as a ratio: 1:10.
• Calculate an adjusted scale for Visio: (1:10) x (1:10) = 1:100.
You’ll use this adjusted page scale for Visio’s page, prior to importing the drawing.

Here’s another example using US units:

• Viewport scale: 1/4" to 1’. Or, expressed in inches: 1/4" to 12".

• Drawing units: Feet
• Plot units: Inches
• Plot scale: 1" to 1 ft. Or, expressed in inches: 1" to 12".
• Calculate an adjusted page scale for Visio: (1/4":12") x (1":12") = 1/4":144 inches. Or, 1/4"
to 12’.
You’ll use this adjusted page scale for Visio’s page, prior to importing the drawing.

Step 6: Save the AutoCAD file

With the above completed, save the AutoCAD drawing:

• If you are a subscriber of Visio Online Plan 2, you can save a .dwg or .dxf file from

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 AutoCAD versions 2007 through 2017.
• If you are not a subscriber, make sure to save the file as an AutoCAD 2007 .dwg or .dxf
file.

The following formats are available for import into AutoCAD40.

Format Description Related AutoCAD AutoCAD for
command LT? Mac?
3D Studio (*.3ds) 3D Studio files. 3DSIN No No
ACIS (*.sat) ACIS solid object ACISIN No Yes
files.
Autodesk Autodesk Inventor IMPORT No No
Inventor (*.ipt), part and assembly
(*.iam) files
Note: Supported only
on 64 -bit systems.
CATIA V4 CATIA® V4 model, IMPORT No No
(*.model; session and export
*.session; *.exp; files.
*.dlv3)
CATIA V5 CATIA® V5 part and IMPORT No No
(*.CATPart; assembly files.
*.CATProduct)
DGN (*.dgn), MicroStation DGN DGNIMPORT Yes No
including DGN files.
files with user-
specified file
extensions such
as.sed for seed
files
DXB (*.dxb) Drawing Interchange DXBIN No Yes
Binary
FBX (*.fbx) Autodesk®FBX files. FBXIMPORT No No
IGES (*.iges; *.igs) IGES files. IGESIMPORT No No
JT (*.ij) JT files. IMPORT No No
Parasolid (*.x_b) Parasolid binary files. IMPORT No No
Parasolid (*.x_t) Parasolid text files. IMPORT No No
PDF (*.pdf) Portable Document PDFIMPORT Yes Yes
Format files.
Pro/ENGINEER Pro/ENGINEER® part IMPORT No No
(*.prt*; *.asm*) and assembly files

40
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-
explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/What-file-formats-can-AutoCAD-import.html, as on 18th November,
2019.

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 Format Description Related AutoCAD AutoCAD for
command LT? Mac?
Pro/ENGINEER Granite files IMPORT No No
Granite (*.g) generated by
Pro/ENGINEER.
Pro/ENGINEER Granite neutral files IMPORT No No
Neutral (*.neu) generated by
Pro/ENGINEER .
Rhino (*.3dm) Rhinoceros® model IMPORT No No
files.
SolidWorks (*.prt; SolidWorks® part IMPORT No No
*.sldprt; *.asm; and assembly files.
*.sldasm)
Metafile (*.wmf) Microsoft WMFIN Yes No
Windows ® Metafiles.
STEP (*.ste; *.stp; STEP files. IMPORT No No
*.step):

Generate different views and perspectives

Viewing

Pan and zoom in a drawing, and control the order of overlapping objects.

The easiest way to change your view is by using the wheel on your mouse.

• Zoom in or out by rolling the wheel.

• Pan a view in any direction by holding the wheel down and then moving your mouse.
• Zoom to the extents of your model by clicking the wheel twice.

Tip: When you zoom in or out, the location of the cursor is important. Think of your cursor as a
magnifying glass. For example, if you position the cursor in the upper-right area of the floor plan
as shown below, zooming in magnifies the dressing room without shifting the view.

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Note: If you cannot zoom or pan any more, type REGEN in the Command window and press
Enter. This command regenerates the drawing display and resets the extents available for panning
and zooming.

Overlapping Objects

If you create objects that overlap each other, you might need to change which objects are
displayed on top or in front of the others. For example, if you want the yellow highway to cross
the blue river rather than the other way around, use the DRAWORDER command to reorder the
objects.

You can access several draw order options from the Modify panel on the ribbon. Click to expand
the Modify panel, and then click the down-arrow as shown below.

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The draw order options that are listed include sending all hatches to the back, all text to the front,
and so on.

Organise presentation of work

Layouts

Applies to 2018.1 Update and later

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Display one or more scaled views of your design on a standard-size drawing sheet called a layout.

After you finish creating a model at full size, you can switch to a paper space layout to create
scaled views of the model, and to add notes, labels, and dimensions. You can also specify different
linetypes and line widths for display in paper space.

Specifying the Paper Size of a Layout

The first thing that you should do when you access a layout tab (1) is right-click the tab (2) and
rename it (3) to something more specific than Layout 1. For a D-size layout, ARCH D or ANSI D
might be a good choice.

Next, open the Page Setup Manager (4) to change the paper size displayed in the layout tab.
There are a lot of controls here, but you only need to change a few. The first is to specify the size
of your sheet.

Note: You might be wondering why there are two entries in the list for every sheet size. This is
because some printers and plotters do not recognize the drawing orientation setting.

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Model Space and Paper Space

As you know, you create the geometry of your model in model space.

Originally, this was the only space available in AutoCAD. All notes, labels, dimensions, and the
drawing border and title block were also created and scaled in model space. For some
applications, this method is still entirely sufficient.

With the paper space feature, you can click a layout tab designed specifically for displaying
multiple views, automatic scaling, and electronic or printing output.

For example, a layout tab is selected in the following illustration. There are currently two objects in
paper space: a block object for the title and drawing border, and a single layout viewport, which
displays a scaled view of model space.

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By default, a single layout viewport object is initially included on each layout tab, but your
organization might be using customized drawing template (DWT) files that include several
predefined layouts, layout viewports, and title blocks.

Let's learn more about layout viewport objects.

Layout Viewports

A layout viewport is an object that's created on a layout tab to display a scaled view of model
space. You can think of it as a closed-circuit TV monitor that displays part of model space. You
can select a layout viewport as you would any other object. When you select it, several grips
display that provide a way to adjust the size of the viewport, move the viewport, and specify the
scale of the view that's contained in it.

Several editing commands such as Move, Erase, and Copy can be used on layout viewports. When
you select a layout viewport, you can use the Properties palette to provide a complete list of
options and settings.

Tip: When you're ready to create an electronic output or print a layout, you will want to hide the
viewport borders. To accomplish this, create all viewport objects on a separate layer and then turn
that layer off.

Switch between Model Space and Paper Space

When you're working on a layout tab, you can switch between paper space and model space
without returning to the Model tab. Here's how. As shown in the illustration, you move your cursor
and double-click either inside a layout viewport to access model space or you double-click outside
the layout viewport to return to paper space. When you're in model space, the border of the
layout viewport becomes thicker.

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The primary reasons that you might want to access model space through the layout viewport is to
pan the view or to make minor adjustments to the objects, especially those that display only in
that viewport.

Tip: Instead of panning a view, simply select the viewport object from paper space, click one of the
four size grips, and adjust the boundary.

Create a New Viewport

You can use the New option of the MVIEW (make view) command to create additional layout
viewports in paper space. With several layout viewports, you can display different views of model
space at the same scale or at different scales.

1. From a layout tab, enter MVIEW in the Command window and choose the New option.
2. A maximized view of model space displays temporarily and you can click two points as
shown to define an area.
3. Back in the layout, right-click to display a list of scales and click the one that you want to
use.
4. Click a location to place the new layout viewport containing the scaled view.

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If you later need to set a different scale, select the layout viewport and click the triangular scale
grip. This action displays a list of scales to choose from.

By default, scaled viewports are automatically locked to prevent accidental zooming or panning,
which would change the scale or the clipping boundaries. You can lock and unlock a layout
viewport by selecting it, right-clicking to display the shortcut menu, and choose Display Locked >
On or Off.

Note: As required by drafting conventions, the dashes and spaces in a non-continuous linetype
always appear at the same length regardless of the scale of the layout viewport. If you change the
scale of the layout viewport, you will need to enter REGENALL to update the display immediately.

Trans-Spatial Annotation

After you create one or more scaled layout viewports on a layout tab, follow these steps to use
the trans-spatial method of annotating your drawing:

1. Move the layout viewport as needed, and adjust its edges using the size grips.
2. Turn off the layer on which you created the layout viewport object. This hides the edges of
the layout viewport.
3. Create notes, labels, and dimensions directly in paper space. They automatically appear at
the correct size.

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 4. Print the drawing to paper or as a DWF or PDF file.

Four Methods for Scaling Views and Annotating Drawings (Optional)

There are four different methods in AutoCAD for scaling views, notes, labels, and dimensions.
Each method has advantages depending on how the drawing will be used. Here's a brief
summary of each of the methods:

• The Original Method. You create geometry, annotate, and print from model space.
Dimensions, notes, and labels must all be scaled in reverse. You set the dimension scale to
the inverse of the plot scale. With this method, scaling requires a little math. For example,
a commonly used imperial scale in architecture is 1/4" = 1'-0" which is 1:48 scale. If a note
is to be printed 1/4" high, then it must be created 48 times as large, or 12" high in model
space. The same scale factor also applies to dimensions, and an ARCH D drawing border
at that scale is 144 feet long. When the drawing is printed as a D-size sheet, everything
scales down to the correct size.

Note: Many AutoCAD drawings were created with this method, and many companies still
use it. Once everything is set up, the method works well for 2D drawings with single views
and inserted details.

• The Layout Method. You create geometry and annotations in model space, and then print
from the layout. Set the dimension scale to 0 and the dimensions will scale automatically.
• The Annotative Method. You create geometry in model space, create annotative
dimensions, notes, and labels, which use a special annotative style, in model space from
the layout, and then you print from the layout. Annotative objects display only in layout
viewports that share the same scale. The dimension scale is automatically set to 0 and all
annotative objects scale automatically.
• The Trans-Spatial Method. You create geometry in model space, create annotations in
paper space on a layout with the dimension scale set to 1, and then you print from the
layout. This is arguably the simplest, most direct method, which is why it is the method of
choice for this guide.

Tip: Talk to other AutoCAD users in your discipline about these four methods and why they chose
the method that they use.

To Create Drawing Views from AutoCAD 3D Models41

Create base, orthogonal, and isometric projected views from 3D solids and surfaces in model
space.

41
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-04AD2139-51E6-4502-8CB5-
B6A38785974B-htm.html, as on 18th November, 2019.

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 1. At the bottom right of the drawing area, click the tab corresponding to the layout you
intend to create the base view on.

Tip: If the layout contains a viewport, we recommend that you delete it before you
proceed.

2. Click Home tab View panel Base drop-down From Model Space.

Find

Entire model space is selected and a preview of the base view appears at the cursor. To create the
base view for selected objects only:

a. Click Drawing View Creation tab Select panel Model Space Selection.

a. Find
b. SHIFT-click the objects you don't want to include in the base view.

Tip: If you accidently removed an object that you didn't intend to, click the object. The
object is selected for the base view.

c. Press ENTER to return to the layout.

In the Orientation panel of the Drawing View Creation contextual ribbon tab, select the
orientation for the base view.

In the Appearance panel, specify the scale and view style.

Click in the drawing area to indicate the location to place the base view and press ENTER. A
preview of a projected view appears at the cursor.

Note: You can change the properties of the base view using the ribbon until you press ENTER.

Move the preview to the desired location and click. Repeat until all the required projected views
are created.

Note: As you move the preview, the orientation of the projected view changes to reflect its
relationship to the base view.

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 Click Drawing View Creation tab Create panel OK. Find

Save and file drawing elements according to organisational procedures

File formats are extremely important when considering CAD design. When creating any type of
document using a computer, it must be saved as a file. This file contains all the information
relating to the document and how it should be processed and visualized42.

For example, a Microsoft Word Document or .docx file will contain information about the content
within and its formatting. The file format usually relates to what program was used to create the
document; for example, a .xls file is native to Microsoft Excel.

CAD design works much in the same way. When using programs such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks,
you are creating a digital document. This document is then saved as a specific type of file format.
The file format dictates what program you can use to view the document. Moreover, it will also
dictate what is contained within the document. For a CAD file, that means the design itself. CAD
digitalization services are able to create CAD files in any format.

If you use CAD on a regular basis, you’re likely aware of the associated file types – this will give
you flexibility when sending designs to other members of staff and customers. We have compiled
a list of the top file formats for sharing both 3D and 2D CAD designs.

Important Features of 3D and 2D CAD Files

Before we look at the actual file types, it’s important to understand their different properties.
Different file types may allow you to view a CAD drawing in a different way. Moreover, some CAD

42
Source: CAD Crowd, as at https://www.cadcrowd.com/blog/top-file-formats-for-sharing-3d-and-2d-cad-
designs/, as on 17th November, 2019.

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file types may be limited to only 2D displays suitable for showcasing a design to an end customer.
The following are some of the main features of both 3D and 2D CAD file formats:

Proprietary or neutral

There are two main file format types – proprietary and neutral. All CAD design programs use a
proprietary file type. This file type is specific to that program – generally, it can only be viewed
using the same program it was created with. If you tried to send someone a proprietary CAD file
and they didn’t have the same program, they would struggle to open it. Neutral files, on the other
hand, can be viewed on a myriad of programs – they are designed to be interoperable.

When selecting a file type, you must consider who will use it – is it an intercompany document
that other mechanical engineers will access? If so, a proprietary file could be used. Alternatively, if
the document is being distributed to customers who do not necessarily have CAD software, a
neutral file format should be used.

Precise or tessellated

CAD designs can be displayed in two different ways – precise or tessellated. What you see on the
screen when designing a product compared to what the actual product may look like will differ.
Particularly, the lines and edges that form the shape. This is the difference between precise
drawings versus tessellated drawings.

To create a product, a CAD program must use precise lines and angles – it can work to mere
microns and complete complex manufacturing processes. These precise instructions must be
included in a file format if you want to edit the actual drawing or change its design.

When merely displaying a CAD drawing for visual purposes, the lines and edges are tessellated –
this recreates the same product but is suitable for viewing on a monitor. You must check if your
CAD file format supports both precise and tessellated visualization.

Type of assembly

Multi-part designs can become complex when choosing a file format. Depending on the file
format, a multi-part product design may be constrained to one single file for the whole assembly.

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Alternatively, it may have a separate file for each component. For example, a gear assembly could
have separate files for each of the gear parts and connectors.

You must be aware of how the product is displayed and if the file format allows it to be shown as
a complete assembly. If you need to promote a new product design to a customer, a file format
that cannot show the complete assembly would be useless.

Part listings

CAD designs usually contain a list of parts that are in the drawing itself. Different file formats can
display this part listing in a different way. The main two display types are BOM and flat list.

Let’s say you had a design that contained 20 screws. A file format using a Bill of Materials (BOM)
would list just one screw and the relating positions within the drawing. A flat file display would list
all 20 screws individually. You must consider how you want individual components displayed when
choosing a file format.

As you can see, there are many file format features to consider. You should now understand what
to look for, and what different file formats could potentially offer.

Top File Formats for Sharing 3D Models and 2D CAD Designs

Now that you understand the different features of file formats, we can get to the juicy part. I’ve
gathered for you below a list of the most popular CAD file formats. This list is certainly not
exhaustive. If I tried to list every file format available, I’d still be writing the article.

As the saying goes, there are more CAD file formats than there are CAD design programs! The
following list is the main file types you’ll run into.

STEP (.step files)

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This is the most widely used CAD file format. STEP relates directly to ISO 10303. This is the
standard for computer representation of product manufacturing information. As this format is
specifically defined by ISO, it is widely used and accepted as an industry standard.

Most modern CAD software will support the STEP file format. It is interoperable and not tied down
to one proprietary program. STEP is used for 3D CAD drawings.

IGES (.iges files)– Initial Graphics Exchange Specification

Eye-jess (as it is pronounced) is another popular vendor-neutral CAD file format. This file format
was first published in 1980 and remains widely used in the CAD industry. Originally, it was used by
the U.S. Air Force but has now been taken over by ANSI. This file format deals specifically in wire
frames and circuit diagrams – it should only be used for design work; not to share a design with
people outside your company.

STL (.stl files)– Stereo Lithography

The STL file format is a universal format. It is a format for pure 3D information that has been
specifically created by 3D programs. STL is concerned with surface geometry and shapes – it
cannot be used to represent colour or textures. This file format is fine for use in basic situations
where complicated CAD data is not required.

X3D (.x3d files)

X3D actually replaces the previous standard file format of VRML (.vrml files). VRML was popular
but limited to only a number of different software packages – this is where X3D comes in. X3D is a
neutral file format – it is used to represent 3D computer graphics in an XML format. X3D can be
used to encode graphical scenes with the XML syntax. Moreover, it allows integration with a
number of different APIs.

DXF (.dxf files) Drawing Interchange Format

DXF (a.k.a. Drawing eXchange Format) is a 2D file format used by AutoCAD drafting and design
services. It is actually AutoCAD’s native proprietary file type for 2D representations. Despite it
being considered proprietary, it is used by a huge array of different programs and systems. Due to
this fact, it is generally considered to be a universal file format for viewing 2D CAD documents.
The DWG file format is steadily replacing usage of DXF due to its limitations, but for now, DXF is
still the main player.

PDF (.pdf files)

The PDF (Portable Document Format) file format is proprietary to Adobe but has a wide array of
uses. PDF files can be converted into AutoCAD files. CAD files can also be exported into PDFs for
easy viewing. If you want to simply showcase a 2D design to a customer or someone without CAD
knowledge, a PDF file is suitable. Many CAD programs allow you to export your work to a PDF.

We hope you have found this guide useful. The file format you choose will depend on the type of
CAD program you’re using. You may have to use a proprietary file format – just know that it’s

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possible to export it as a different file type. You should now have a clear understanding of the
main file formats available – this should improve your CAD knowledge and allow you to broaden
your horizons.

AutoCAD file save process43

Opening a drawing

1. OPEN the Model.DWG.

2. Model.DWG is loaded from disk into RAM.
3. Model.DWL (WhoHas file) created.
4. Model.DWL2 (XML version of WhoHas file) created.

Note: No .tmp is created on OPEN.

Full save

1. Full SAVE (occurs if ISAVEPERCENT=0 and may also occur if ISAVEPERCENT>0).

2. SAVE the Model.DWG if a full-save occurs and SAVEBAK sysvar is enabled.
3. Model.DWG in RAM is written out to a .tmp.
4. Model.BAK deleted.
5. Model.DWG renamed to Model.BAK.
6. The .tmp renamed to Model.DWG.
7. Model.DWG remains in RAM for current session.

Model.DWL & Model.DWL2 remain as-is (until user closes Model.DWG, at which time they are
deleted).

Incremental save

1. Incremental SAVE (which may occur if ISAVEPERCENT>0).

2. SAVE the Model.DWG when SAVEBAK sysvar is enabled.
3. Model.DWG copied to a .tmp.
4. Model.DWG edits (changes currently in RAM since last save) are written incrementally the
.tmp.
5. Model.BAK deleted.
6. Model.DWG renamed to Model.BAK.
7. The .tmp is renamed to Model.DWG.
8. Model.DWG remains in RAM for current session.

Note: Save performance is improved in AutoCAD 2018. Objects that will experience the greatest
improvement include blocks with annotation scaling, mtext with columns and other newer

43
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-
explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/AutoCAD-file-save-process.html, as on 14th November, 2019.

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formatting, as well as attributes and attribute definitions with multilines. In addition, automatic
save functionality is updated so that saves are most often performed incrementally rather than
performing full saves, which are slower.

Mesh and Files in AutoCAD

If you want to 3D print or share your creations with other people, you probably want to create or
edit a mesh file like .stl. However, AutoCAD is not the ideal CAD software for this matter. It can
export to .stl, but it sadly can not open .stl or .obj files. There are however ways to bypass this
problem.

AutoCAD Tutorial For Beginners 5.1 Importing .stl and other Mesh-Files

As stated, AutoCAD cannot import Mesh-Files, but it can work with the standardized ISO format
STEP .step and Autodesk’s interchange format .dxf. To generate these file types you can use other
AutoCAD software like Inventor or free software like FreeCAD. You can also use a quick way and
upload the .stl to a converter provided by CAD-Forum and generate a .dxf file.

Open .dxf files in AutoCAD by first creating a new Drawing. Then click on the AutoCAD logo >
Open > Drawing and select .dxf as file type in the file browser. When the model is imported, you
can change the visual style by typing VISUALSTYLES.

Open a DXF file.

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Import STL files into AutoCAD

Exporting .stl files

AutoCAD Tutorial: save as STL file.

Luckily exporting .stl files is possible with AutoCAD. To do so click on the AutoCAD logo > Export
> Other File Formats and select .stl as the file type in the file browser.

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Backup and autosave files in AutoCAD44

Backup (.bak) Files

Drawing backup files are typically created in two scenarios:

• Every time a .dwg file is manually saved. By default the file will be saved in the same
location as the .dwg and will have the same name as the drawing but with a .bak
extension, such as, site_topo.bak.
• When an Automatic Save (.sv$) File is overwritten by another automatic save. In this case,
the .bak file will be located in the same folder as the .sv$ files, with additional text
appended to the file name (e.g. site_topo_1_20972_f94baa58.bak).

A backup file is an exact copy of the drawing file prior to the last save. As such, backup files are
always one version older than the currently saved drawing. Only one backup file is retained at a
time so newly created backups will always replace older backups of the same name.

Note: Backup files are created only if the system variable ISAVEBACK is set to 1.

Backup files are essentially renamed .dwg files. Data saved in .bak files can be recovered by
renaming the .bak extension to .dwg and then opening that file in AutoCAD.

MOVEBAK Command

Included in the AutoCAD Express Tools is the MOVEBAK command which permits specifying an
alternative folder for the .bak files when created. To keep .bak files in a single location—as
opposed to keeping them in the same folder as the associated drawings—use the MOVEBAK
command to specify another folder and all .bak files will be automatically moved there when
created. Enter "." as a value in the command to reset AutoCAD to the default behaviour.

Note: MOVEBAK is only available in Autodesk products that include the AutoCAD Express Tools.
The MOVEBAK command has not been updated in recent years so it may not support paths with
embedded spaces.

Automatic Save (.sv$) Files

Automatic save files—commonly referred to as "autosave" files—are backup files created

automatically by the Autosave feature. Automatic save is enabled by default and the number of
minutes between automatic saves can be set in the Open and Save tab in the Options dialog box
or by using the SAVETIME system variable. Automatic saves are only done if a drawing has been
modified after the last save. An automatic save will not save to the current drawing. Instead, a
temporary file with the extension .sv$ is generated. QSAVE, SAVE, and SAVEAS will delete the
current .sv$ file and halt the automatic save timer until an edit is made to the drawing.

44
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-
explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Understanding-AutoCAD-backup-and-autosave-files.html, as on 14th
November, 2019.

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If AutoCAD crashes or is otherwise abnormally terminated during a session, data saved in .sv$ files
can be recovered by locating the autosave file, renaming the .sv$ extension to .dwg and then
opening that file in AutoCAD. The autosave file will contain all drawing information as of the last
time autosave ran. When AutoCAD closes normally, .sv$ files are deleted as any open drawings
would be closed/saved normally.

The location of autosave files in the Windows operating system can be determined by going to
the Files tab in the Options dialog box and inspecting the Automatic Save File Location folder in
the hierarchy, or by using the SAVEFILEPATH variable. In the Mac OS, this can be found under the
Application tab in Preferences.

By default in Windows, the location is taken from the TEMP environment variable in the operating
system. An easy way to open the user Temp folder is to type %tmp% in the Start menu search or
in the location bar of any folder window. In the Mac OS, the default location is in the user's folder
within /Documents/Autodesk/Autosave.

Automatic save can be disabled by unchecking Automatic save in the Open and Save tab in the
Options dialog box or by setting the SAVETIME system variable to 0. Disabling automatic save
prevents AutoCAD from automatically creating sv$ files while working. In the event of a crash,
there will be no interim files to use for data recovery.

Tip: The TIME command is useful in tracking whether an automatic save file will be created
because it gives information about the countdown time and whether modifications have been
made to the drawing.

Temporary (.ac$) Files

By default, temporary files have an .ac$ extension. These files contain information that is used by
various AutoCAD commands (such as UNDO) and do not contain any drawing data that can be
recovered. They should only exist during an AutoCAD session but may be left behind if AutoCAD
crashes or is abnormally terminated.

Drawing Recovery Manager

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Originally introduced in AutoCAD 2006, the Drawing Recovery Manager (DRAWINGRECOVERY)
helps with the task of locating and opening drawings that were last open when AutoCAD crashed,
as well as any backup and autosave files associated with those drawings.

When launching AutoCAD after a crash, the Drawing Recovery Manager determines what
drawings were active when the crash occurred and displays those drawings, and the associated
backup and autosave files, in a single interface.

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The Drawing Recovery Manager can open backup and autosave files directly into the current
session of AutoCAD without having to manually locate and rename those files. The first time a
saved backup or autosave file is opened from the Drawing Recovery Manager, a prompt to
rename the file will be shown.

Note: The Drawing Recovery Manager is only useful after a crash has occurred and will only
display information about drawing files that were active during a session that crashed. The
Drawing Recovery Manager cannot be launched during a normal working session to show the
backup and autosave files for the current drawing.

Tip: On macOS, drawings or recovered files after a crash might be locked and may need to be
unlocked in the Finder using Get Info and disabling the Locked checkbox.

Print drawing elements and evaluate presentation

Printing

Output a drawing layout to a printer, a plotter, or a file. Save and restore the printer settings for
each layout.

Originally, people printed text from printers and plotted drawings from plotters. Now, you can do
both with either. So this guide will also use the terms print and plot interchangeably as everyone
else does.

The command to output a drawing is PLOT and you can access it from the Quick Access toolbar.

To display all of the options in the Plot dialog box, click the More Options button.

As you can see, there are a lot of settings and options available for your use.

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For convenience, you can save and restore collections of these settings by name. These are called
page setups. With page setups you can store the settings that you need for different printers,
printing in gray scales, creating a PDF file from your drawing, and so on.

Create a Page Setup

To open the Page Setup Manager, right-click on the Model tab or a layout tab and choose Page
Setup Manager. The command is PAGESETUP.

Each layout tab in your drawing can have an associated page setup. This is convenient when you
use more than one output device or format, or if you have several layouts with different sheet
sizes in the same drawing.

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To create a new page setup, click New and enter the name of the new page setup. The Page
Setup dialog box that displays next looks like the Plot dialog box. Choose all the options and
settings that you want to save.

When you are ready to plot, you simply specify the name of the page setup in the Plot dialog box,
and all your plot settings will be restored. In the following illustration, the Plot dialog box is set to
use the Hitchhiker page setup, which will output a DWF (Design Web Format) file rather than print
to a plotter.

Tip: You can save page setups in your drawing template files, or you can import them from other
drawing files.

Output to a PDF File

The following example shows you how to create a page setup for creating PDF files.

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From the Printer/plotter drop-down list, choose AutoCAD PDF (General Documentation).pc3:

Next, choose the size and scale options that you want to use:

• Paper Size. The orientation (portrait or landscape) is built into the choices in the drop-
down list.
• Plot Area. You can clip the area to be plotted with these options, but usually you plot
everything.
• Plot Offset. This setting changes based on your printer, plotter, or other output. Try
cantering the plot or adjusting the origin, but remember that printers and plotters have a
built-in margin around the edges.
• Plot Scale. Choose your plot scale from the drop-down list. A scale such as &frac14;” = 1’-
0” is meant for printing to scale from the Model tab. On a layout tab, you normally print at
a 1:1 scale.

The plot style table provides information about processing colours. Colours that look good on
your monitor might not be suitable for a PDF file or for printing. For example, you might want to
create a drawing in colour, but create monochrome output. Here is how you specify monochrome
output:

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Tip: Always double-check your settings with the Preview option.

The resulting Preview window includes a toolbar with several controls, including Plot and Exit.

After you are satisfied with your plot settings, save them to a page setup with a descriptive name
such as "PDF-monochrome." Then, whenever you want to output to a PDF file, all that you need
to do is click Print, choose the PDF-monochrome page setup, and click OK.

Evaluate work and identify areas for improvement

Go easy on explodes45

If you receive a drawing from a third party, don’t be tempted to explode all their blocks. This can
be a really bad idea. If there is more than one copy of each block in the drawing then the blocks
will actually be saving memory.

If you suspect a block is causing a problem, copy it out into a blank file and exploded it. Then
follow the advice below on the new file. Carefully rebuild the block and then replace or re-define
the block in the original drawing.

Be really, really careful that you don’t explode a dynamic block. The dynamic properties of the
block will not be able to resolve themselves and this may corrupt your DWG.

45
Source: CAD Setter Out, as at https://cadsetterout.com/autocad-tutorials/how-to-optimize-your-autocad-
dwg/, as on 18th November, 2019.

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Delete unused geometry

If you need to make a change to your drawing, It can be tempting to copy the old detail to one
side ‘just in case’. This is all additional data that AutoCAD needs to manage. If you end up with a
lot of unnecessary, old or out-dated geometry, create an archive copy of the AutoCAD DWG file
and delete your intermediate work from your working DWG file.

Note: A quick way to delete all unnecessary objects from your drawing file is to hit CTRL+A (select
all), then hold down the Shift key whilst de-selecting what you want to keep. now hit delete.
Poof! All unused data will be gone ;)

Find Invisible objects

There are a number of objects that could be effecting your DWG’s file size – that aren’t always
visible. This could include empty text strings, points and blocks that contain only invisible
attributes.

To pick up points, type ‘DDPTYPE’ at the command line to change the size and style of points in
your drawing. You can now delete what you don’t need.

To find empty text strings, type ‘QTEXTMODE’ at the command, set the value to ‘1’ and perform a
regen. This will replace all the text strings in your drawing with bounding boxes. You can now hunt
down and delete any empty text boxes. Set qtextmode back to 0 when you are done to put your
text back to normal.

Note: From 2010 AutoCAD has the option to purge empty text strings in the ‘PURGE’ dialogue – see
below.

To find Block definitions that contain Invisible attributes, type ‘ATTDISP’ at the command line, and
set attribute display to ‘on’. You can now select and delete any previously invisible blocks that you
don’t need.

To find 3D objects with invisible faces, type ‘SPLFRAME’ at the command line, and set the value to
‘1’. This will reveal the shapes control polygon, allowing you to select and delete it.

It is possible to create an AutoCAD group with nothing in it. Fire up the ‘GROUP’ command and
‘explode’ any groups you don’t need or recognise.

Note: AutoCAD 2012 now has the option to purge empty groups – see below.

Finally, to find wipeouts that have their frames turned off type ‘TFRAMES’ at the command line
and hit return. This system variable toggles wipeout frames on and off.

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Delete unused layers

Did you know that AutoCAD won’t let you delete a layer that is in use? Open the Layer manager,
select every Layer you don’t need and hit ‘Delete’. You can’t accidently delete a layer you need.
This will get rid of a whole load of extra data that AutoCAD doesn’t need to manage.

AutoCAD won’t let you delete the active layer, so check which layer is active before you start.
AutoCAD won’t let you delete a layer that is frozen in a viewport – even if there are no objects on
that layer, so check through each viewport if you have problem layers.

Tip: Use ‘LAYMRG’ to merge objects to a target layer. The original layers are purged from the
drawing.

Tip: Use the ‘LAYDEL’ command to permanently delete any layers that you can’t shake. Be careful
with this tool – there’s no going back!

Note: The system variable ‘SHOWLAYERUSAGE’ puts a check mark in the layer dialogue by each
layer that is in use. If you have lots of layers in your drawings, setting this to ‘0’ will prevent
AutoCAD from tracking ‘in use’ layers, which will help speed things up.

Delete unused Layer filters

Now you’ve deleted all the layers you don’t need out of your drawing, maybe you’ve got a whole
load of layer filters you don’t need either? The quickest way to clean out layer filters is with the
‘FILTERS’ command. This pops up a little dialog which allows you to quickly delete unused layer
filters from your AutoCAD DWG file.

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Note: The command is ‘FILTERS‘ – not ‘FILTER’. The Filter command is like an Uber Quick select tool.

Check your styles

AutoCAD won’t let you purge text, dimension or multi-leader styles while they are in use – even if
you are not using the style in the drawing. Check which styles are current before you purge.

Track the time you spend on a drawing46

Whether you need to bill your clients the time your work on a drawing or just want to know how
efficient you are (maybe your boss wants to know), you can do it in AutoCAD. You do this with the
TIME command, which automatically tracks the time you work on a drawing.

To use the TIME command, enter time on the command line.

You see the following listing:

• Current time: Obviously, this shows the current time, but also includes the date
• Created: The date and time the drawing was created
• Last updated: The time when the drawing was last saved
• Total editing time: The accumulated ime spent in the drawing from session to session.
AutoCAD does not include plotting time or time that you worked but quit without saving
your changes

46
Source: AACAD, as at https://allaboutcad.com/track-time-spend-drawing/, as on 16th November, 2019.

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 • Elapsed timer: Also accumulated time spent in the drawing, but you can turn this on and
off as well as reset it
• Next automatic save in: Shows when your drawing will be automatically saved. Use the
OPTIONS command and display the Open and Save tab to set how often you want to
automatically save your drawing

Next is the Enter option [Display/ON/OFF/Reset]: prompt. Here’s what those options do:

• Display: Updates the listing with current times

• ON and OFF: Turns the elapsed time on and off
• Reset: Resets the elapsed time to zero

Using these options, you can keep track of the time you spend on a drawing.

Close applications, perform CAD housekeeping and maintain organisational

filing system

CLOSE (Command)47

Closes the current drawing.

Find

The current drawing is closed. If you modified the drawing since it was last saved, you are
prompted to save or discard the changes. To save changes to a read-only file, you must use the
SAVEAS command.

Other ways to close the application48:

1. Quit command.
2. Exit alias.
3. Press Ctrl+Q.
4. Press Alt+F4.
5. From the menu browser, choose File | Exit.
6. From the menu browser, click the Exit AutoCAD button.
7. From the menu bar, choose File | Exit.

47
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-947A6040-0C95-413C-A1A3-
2115D244B246-htm.html, as on 18th November, 2019.
48
Source: WorldCAD, as at https://www.worldcadaccess.com/blog/2008/05/of-ways-to-quit.html, as on 18th
November, 2019.

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8. On the title bar, click the X button.
9. Right-click the title bar, and then choose Close from the shortcut menu.

AutoCAD Housekeeping

Periodically running the following commands could save an AutoCAD user hours of time and
frustration49:

AUDIT
RECOVER
RECOVERALL
PURGE (All, Regapps, Orphaned Data).

AUDIT

Use this command when the drawing is open. It attempts to find and fix drawing errors. I
recommend running AUDIT at least once a day.

RECOVER
Use this command when the drawing is closed. It tends to do a more thorough job of fixing errors
than the AUDIT command. I recommend running RECOVER on a drawing weekly.

RECOVERALL
This command will not only run RECOVER on your host drawing but all of its drawing Xrefs as well.
Upon completion, a report is generated that can be copied to the Windows Clipboard and pasted
into Notepad or MS Word for review. I recommend running RECOVERALL weekly on a drawing
with Xrefs.

PURGE
This is the command line version of PURGE. It gives you additional 'object' types to purge out of
your drawing not available in the classic version; such as unreferenced REGAPPS. I recommend
running -PURGE>All and -PURGE>Regapps bi-weekly on your host drawing and its Xrefs.

The important point about purging Regapps is that an excessive amount of unreferenced
Regapps can cause drawing performance issues. Your host drawing can even get them from Xrefs.
Recently I ran the command on a customers' drawings that couldn't be referenced; many had
over 80K! Afterwards, they stayed attached and opened much faster.

Another object type that should be purged is Orphaned data, -PURGE>O. Unmapped DGN
linotypes can unexpectedly bloat the size of the drawing causing serious performance issues. This
option is available out-of-the-box beginning with AutoCAD 2015. A DGN hotfix is available for
AutoCAD 2012, and for AutoCAD 2013-2014 products.

49
Source: Autodesk, as at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/getting-
started/caas/simplecontent/content/autocad-drawing-housekeeping.html, as on 18th November, 2019.

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If it gets to the point where you are constantly having issues with your drawings to include
crashing, the Autodesk Knowledge Network article on How to repair corrupt AutoCAD files is a
great resource – see
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/A
utoCAD-File-Corruption.html. It includes all the drawing housekeeping commands discussed
above as well as workarounds for saving most of your data.

A necessary part of many AutoCAD® users’ day is cleaning up drawing files. Not all users set
up their drawings with your use in mind, and sadly some don't set it up with anybody's use in
mind. There are a variety of reasons that AutoCAD users would need to clean up drawings50.

• MEP users who receive updated backgrounds from architects or civil engineers.
• Architects who receive clients’ prototypical drawings that need to be converted to the
architects’ standards.
• Architects who receive civil drawings to clean up for an architectural site plan.
• Autodesk® Revit® users who need to clean up AutoCAD drawings before linking or, in
some cases, importing them into Revit.
• Architects and engineers who clean up their drawings before sending them to an
outside consultant or owner.
• Archivers who need to clean up drawings for archival purposes.

Many times, users will clean up drawings only when they have to, such as for errors (crashing
drawings, inability to import in to other applications), or files being too big to email, etc. By
keeping the cleanup process simple and automating as much as possible, it is more likely to get
done on a regular basis. As we all have experienced, issues tend to hit on deadline day.

Everything starts with good habits and procedures. Start by keeping your drawings lean and
efficient. Use standard layers, linetype, and text styles. Use polylines, and polygons when
creating objects, use explode as a last resort and use blocks/dynamic blocks to represent your
drawing data. Automate your drawing standards, and object insertion processes verses copying
one job to create another. Sometimes, even with good drawing practices, files will need to be
cleaned up. And when dealing with outside users, cleanup is a lot more likely.

AutoCAD has some built-in tools that can help make the drawing cleanup process much easier.
These tools can be used individually to handle certain cleanup tasks, or they can be used in
conjunction with others to handle larger cleanups. A few of the tools that you may find useful
are “Purge,” "Audit," "Selectsimilar," AND Wblock.

A brief outline of what you would use each command for and then a more detailed description
of how they can be used for your cleanup purposes follows, as well as some example scripts on
how to automate their use for drawing cleanup. Some of these commands have dialog and
command line options, so depending on your productivity style, you have options. If you are a
mouse dialog, ribbon, or toolbar user, I encourage you to consider the command line versions

50
Source: Augi, as at https://www.augi.com/articles/detail/cleaning-up-autocad-drawings, as on 18th
November, 2019.

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to increase your productivity. The command line can be a powerful production option,
especially when combined with shortcuts and Macros.

• PURGE: Removes unused named objects, such as block definitions and layers, from the
drawing using a dialogue or the command line.
• AUDIT: Evaluates the integrity of a drawing and corrects some errors (command line).
• SELECTSIMILAR: A simple method to select objects based on similar properties such as
layer, color, name, or line weight.
• WBLOCK: Saves selected objects out of the current drawing or converts an existing
block to a specified external drawing file.

PURGE

Over time, drawings get bloated with unnecessary and outdated information. This can include
unused layers, linetypes, fonts, styles, and blocks. By getting rid of these extraneous items you
keep your drawings lean. Lean drawings use less memory and have less storage requirements,
thus saving drive space, backup space, load and save times, and email overhead. Lean
drawings also are less likely to become corrupt. The following types of unused named objects
can be removed from the current drawing: block definitions, dimension styles, groups, layers,
linetypes, and text styles. It will also remove zero-length geometry and empty text objects. The
PURGE command will not remove unnamed objects (see below for unnamed blocks).

Purge can be done from the command line or through a dialog box. For various scenarios you
may use one or the other. See Figure A for the Purge dialog box from AutoCAD 2013. The
dialog shows that basically no items are available to be purged. If you change the top option
from “View items you can purge” to “View items you cannot purge,” you can see all the things
that are not “purgeable.” Are these still being used? These can include styles, linetypes, layers,
plot styles, and so on. If you don’t think you are using these, but items will not purge, then
check some of the following.

Blocks:

• Could it be nested inside another block?

• Is it an attached Xref?
• Is it an anonymous block that just won’t purge? (*A…)

Layers:

• Is it a standard AutoCAD layer (0 or Defpoints)?

• Is it used in part of a block definition?
• Is it set current?
• Does it have a block inserted on it?

Styles:

• Could it be used in a dimension or mleader style?

• Is it set current?

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Linetypes:

• Could it be used in a layer that is not being purged?

• Is it set current?
• Is it part of a block definition?

Figure A: Purge Dialog (Version 2013)

-PURGE (command line)

Purge also allows you to remove unused ‘named’ objects from a drawing at the command
prompt. You can only remove one level of nested items at a time, so you may need to repeat
the process until there are no items left to be purged. (Create a macro or script to automate
this.) The PURGE command will also remove un-named objects (zero-length geometry or
empty text and mtext objects starting in 2010). Even when using the “All” option, purge by

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default will not remove REGAPPS**. Basic prompts and typical responses are below when
typing “-purge” (the quotes are not required).

Enter type of unused objects to purge: “A”

Enter name(s) to purge: “*”
Verify each name to be purged? “N”

** One item that will need an extra step is “REGAPPS.” Regapps are a byproduct of objects with
extended entity data (xdata). When you delete an xdata object, a REGAPP ID remains. To
remove these, you must do it from the command line.

–Purge <enter> R <enter> * <enter> N <enter>

Anonymous/Un-Named Blocks

Annoying items that creep up quite often are the infamous “un-named”or “anonymous” blocks
or groups. These show up as *A123, *A124, *X12, *D13, etc. You may have noticed that when
you ran Audit, there were far more blocks in your drawing than you thought there should

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be. This builds over time as you continue to use old projects for new work and when you use
outside vendors or consultants’ drawings. It can be very frustrating to find 1,000 blocks in a
drawing that do not show up in your block list and will not purge! Some of these are created
by AutoCAD for hatch patterns [*X nnn], associative dimensions [*D nnn] and some are created
by AutoLISP routines. For me this happens a lot when working with drawings from civil and
architectural offices. To remove the blocks that are not being used, you can use the Wblock or
–Wblock command (see WBLOCK).

*Unnn = anonymous blocks

*E### = anonymous non-uniformly scaled blocks
*X### = anonymous hatches
*D### = anonymous dimensions
*A### = anonymous groups

AUDIT

From time to time you will get a file that requires recovery to open it, or during a working
session you will get an error suggesting that a recovery may be necessary. One way to keep
your drawings healthy is to be proactive and run the audit command. Audit is a good
maintenance tool to run on your drawings to keep them clean of most errors. When you get
drawings from outside firms, this is a must-do step. If a drawing contains errors that AUDIT
cannot fix, try using RECOVER to open the drawing and correct its errors.

Audit is a command line tool. Following are the prompts and options.

• Type “Audit”
• The following prompt is displayed.
o Fix any errors detected? [Yes/ No]. You would typically choose “Yes,” unless
you’re just looking to see if the drawing has errors.
• When the routine is done it will give you a status report of how many objects it audited
and how many errors it found and corrected. Running Purge prior to an Audit will
often reduce the overhead of auditing items you do not intend to keep anyway.

Note: If AUDIT or RECOVER do not work and your still getting errors, try inserting the troubled
drawing into a clean empty drawing, EXPLODE it, PURGE, and do a SAVEAS.

SELECTSIMILAR

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How many times have you worked on a drawing where you were just looking to get just line
work or just text isolated on a layer? You try to freeze or isolate text or dims only to find out
that half the drawing disappeared. This is a common issue with various trades where everything
associated with a specific topic is on a single layer. For example, an architectural drawing has a
ceiling plan layer: "A-CLG" that includes the grid, the lights, the diffusers, the notes, and the
dimensions all on one layer—in different colors (ugh!). Or how about an HVAC drawing that
has the main ducts, flex ducts, and supply grille/diffuser blocks all on a single "M-SUPPLY"
layer. Sometimes you just need the lights or grid or supply grille locations, but doing layer
isolate (another handy tool) gives you everything. Selectsimilar to the rescue!

Selectsimilar provides you with a way to select objects based on similar characteristics. Objects
based on properties such as layer, color, or lineweight can be grabbed quickly with this
command. Access the command by typing “selectsimilar” at the command line or from the
right-click shortcut menu after you've selected an object. What is selected will depend on the
current SELECTSIMILARMODE value.

If you have objects with a different color being included when selecting objects based on color,
note that objects are considered similar if they are set to “BYLAYER.” This also includes
properties like linetype, lineweight, plot style, material, and transparency. For example, you may

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get text or line work selected even though they are not the same color if their color property is
set to BYLAYER.

To select similar objects, you can type “SELECTSIMILAR” (create a shortcut like “SS”) or select an
object that represents the category of objects you want to select, right-click, and choose
“SELECT SIMILAR.”

Note Only objects of the same type (lines, circles, polylines, etc.) are considered similar. You can
change other shared properties with the SELECTSIMILAR command, using the “SE” (Settings)
option.

The Settings dialog box controls which properties must match for an object of the same type to
be selected.

[AW-2013-12-AutoCAD-Image-0004.png]

• Color – Considers objects with matching colors to be similar.

• Layer – Considers objects on matching layers to be similar.
• Linetype – Considers objects with matching linetypes to be similar.
• Linetype scale – Considers objects with matching linetype scales to be similar.
• Lineweight – Considers objects with matching lineweights to be similar.
• Plot style – Considers objects with matching plot styles to be similar.
• Object style – Considers objects with matching styles (such as text styles, dimension
styles, and table styles) to be similar.
• Name – Considers referenced objects (such as blocks, xrefs, and images) with matching
names to be similar.

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SELECTSIMILARMODE

To automate the SELECTSIMILAR command in a macro or script you would use

SELECTSIMILARMODE. As with many AutoCAD commands, each combination of options has a
bit code (numerical value). Some examples:

• Select color only = 1

• Select Color and Layer = 3
• Select Color and Name = 129
• Select Layer and Name = 130

To determine these values, run the SELECTSIMILAR command, type SE, and toggle the options.
Then run the SELECTSIMILARMODE command to find the numeric value of these options.

I use "130" most often. This allows me to isolate named objects like "Text" on the same
layer. Using Selectsimilar to select a piece of text on a layer would select all text on that layer -
no matter what style or color it is. Selecting a polyline with the 130 setting would select all
polylines on that layer - no matter what color. Selecting a block would only select other blocks
with the same name on that layer. Each of these is useful when selecting items that you may
wish to delete or move to another layer.

WBLOCK

The WBLOCK (Write Block) command is probably best known for saving selected objects or a
block within a drawing to an external drawing file. WBLOCK can be a very powerful cleanup
tool in your arsenal. Probably the most common method of drawing extraction is to type
WBLOCK and follow select the options in the dialog to save parts of a drawing to a specific
drive and folder.

The dialog gives you three options: You can choose a block within the drawing, the entire
drawing, or objects that you want to selectively ‘write out’ of the drawing. When selecting
objects, you select a base point, select the desired objects, and then select a new name and
path where your file is to be saved.

You also have the option to access the quickselect dialog to select items via a properties filter.

You can also use WBLOCK from the command line. To use WBLOCK at the command line, add
a hyphen in front of the command, e.g., -WBLOCK.

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It will then prompt you to enter a name of an existing block or define a new drawing. You have
three options here.

• Type an existing block name within the drawing that you want to “write out.” (Use if you
have created a block in the current drawing and you want it now saved out to your
master library or a project folder.)
• Hit enter and a new drawing will be created with the name you entered in the previous
dialog. You will be able to select an insertion point and select the objects to write-
out. (Use if you want to selectively write out objects to a new drawing file.)
• Type an asterisk ‘*’ which will cause it to write out the entire drawing. (Use to do a mass
cleanup of your drawings in a single sweep.)

When cleaning up client drawings or your own from rogue data that has been inserted (often
through copy-paste operations), this is a very powerful tool. This handy method writes the
entire drawing to the new output file, except for unreferenced symbols. Model space objects
are written to model space, and paper space objects are written to paper space.

If you use the dialog to do your WBLOCK operations, even when you selectively choose your
objects, takes all the junk with it that you already can’t purge.

Try this:

• Open a drawing that has unpurgeable items (bunch of *A1nnn blocks) Say “A1.DWG”.
• Turn On, Unlock, and Thaw all your layers.
• Type WBLOCK and choose the “Objects” option.
• Select everything in your drawing (crossing, window, etc.).
• For the Destination, choose a new file name “A1-Objects.DWG.”
• Type AUDIT and see how many objects are in the drawing.
• Compare your size to the original A1.DWG.

Then try this, with the drawing still open:

• Type WBLOCK and choose the “Entire drawing” option.

• Choose a new name “A1-Entire.DWG.”
• Type AUDIT and see how many objects are in the drawing.
• Compare all your sizes now.
• :)

Wblock Results:

Before:

(Already Purged), Audit reports 114,900 objects and 3,478 blocks - 4,327 KB.

After:

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WBLOCK (Entire drawing option OR –Wblock with “*”), Audit reports 4,600 objects 71 blocks -
291 KB (93 percent smaller).

The second option removes all those unused and unpurgeable items that the first would not.
See how much faster your drawings open, save, and close.

++ Be careful, though, as both of these methods will remove any Layer States in the drawings.

AUTOMATE YOUR CLEANUP PROCESS

By combining a mixture of the tools above along with some other AutoCAD commands, you
can reduce the cleanup time dramatically with Macros, Scripts and Scriptpro. Although macros
have been my standard automation tool, it is often easier to use scripts so that you can do
batch automation with Scriptpro, a free utility from Autodesk that can be found on the
Autodesk website.

Example macros:

SuperSave:

^C^C -PURGE;A;*;N; -PURGE;A;*;N;AUDIT;Y;-PURGE;A;*;N;ZOOM;E;SAVE;CLOSE;

Superpurge: (includes Regapps and WBlock)

^C^C-PURGE;A;*;N;AUDIT;Y; -PURGE;A;*;N;-PURGE;R;*;N;AUDIT;Y;-PURGE;A;*;N;-WBLOCK;

Sample Macro in CUI

DeleteSimilar:

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^C^CSELECTSIMILARMODE; 130;SELECTSIMILAR;/ERASE;P;

Note: be sure to define your “similar” mode in your script/macro by setting the
“selectsimilarmode” value.

If you have to commonly bind and save your drawings to an older version (SAVEAS), you can
have a Macro setup just for that.
^C^CZ;E;-PURGE;A;;N;AUDIT;Y;-PURGE;A;;N;-PURGE;R;*;N;-PURGE;A;;N;BINDTYPE;1;-
XREF;B;*;SAVEAS;2004;

There is not one “super cleanup” command or macro tool that will work for everyone, but you
can get pretty close to what will equate to “your” super tool with a little thought. Look at your
cleanup process—what are you repeating or what is client “A” always requiring as part of the
cleanup process? Automate these items using the tools above and tweak as necessary for each
client.

Let’s say you want one ultimate macro that varies slightly by client, but is pretty consistent
overall. Some things you may want:

• Set consistent Units – Use the units command options.

• Want the drawings to be lean and error free – Use Audit and Purge.
• All items to be color by layer – Use the SETBYLER command (Thaws and Unlocks all
layers).
• Want the layers to be consistent – Use client-specific Layer States.
• For clients that use the standard AutoCAD font style as “their” standard – Rename it to
ARCH-STANDARD.
• Saved when zoomed to extents – Use Zoom, extents.

The below macro would accomplish that and would take literally seconds to run.

^C^C-UNITS;4;16;1;0;0;N; -LAYER;T;*;ON;*;UNLOCK;*;; -PURGE;A;;N;AUDIT;Y;-

PURGE;A;;N;SETBYLAYER;ALL;;YES;YES;Z;E;-LAYER;A;I;
F:/CUSTOM/LAYER_STATES/CLIENT_NAME/CLIENT.LAS;R;DESIRED_STATE;;; -
RENAME;S;STANDARD;ARCH-STD;Z;E;SAVEAS;

Items in BOLD would vary by client.

If every job is totally unique for you and you need a generic macro, you would remove the layer
states option above and you may want to skip the SETBYLAYER command as it may give
undesired results when plotting.

After the macro runs, you could use some of the other tools mentioned above to clean up the
drawing even further.

Standardization, automation, and training are the best tools for increasing your efficiency in any
process in AutoCAD. Once you find out which tools (commands/macros/scripts/LISPs) are your
go-to items and you have a set process, you can whip through the drawing cleanup

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process. Over time I have standardized on many of the above commands and macros, but I
am always looking for new options to reduce any repetitive or time-wasting tasks.

TEST

Test, Test, Test! When incorporating new tools and methods into your arsenal or cleanup
process, be sure to test on non-production drawings or at least copies of drawings before you
implement these as standard tools. Each office may have unique file requirements that need to
be considered when implementing these processes.

OTHER TOOLS

This article by no means covers all the tools available for drawing cleanup, but these are some
very useful ones that when used individually or in conjunction with others can make your
drawing cleanup process go much faster. As there are a multitude of options and tools
available in AutoCAD for cleaning up your drawings, I encourage you to look in to some of
these other powerful commands and AutoCAD options:

SETBYLAYER:

Sets selected objects to color BYLAYER (as they should be). You can also use this to change the
linetype, lineweight, material, and transparency to BYLAYER. Like SELECTSIMILAR, SETBYLAYER
has a mode value (SETBYLAYERMODE) that can be set (i.e., for color only the value is 113). I
typically do NOT change linetype to BYLAYER as it is a common scenario to have a linetype set
to by entity but on the same layer with other line types.

FILTER:

To create saved selection sets.

QUICK SELECT (QSELECT):

Use to select different types of objects that share the same properties such as color, linetype,
plot style, lineweight, transparency, etc., and build a selection set on the fly.

OVERKILL

Use to remove duplicate items in a drawing that share the same space (i.e., doors, walls, lights,
etc.) right on top of one another. This often happens when binding similar XREFs or copying
items and inadvertently selecting the same origin and destination point and not realizing it.

Clean efficient drawings make for happy users!

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Lastly, please submit the Autodesk Customer Error Report with your email address each time an
Autodesk product closes unexpectedly/crashes and the dialog appears. You may not think
sending them in will help you. However, they are used by the development team to identify
defects for Hotfixes and Service Packs. A potential immediate benefit is that we can create an
Autodesk Support case asking to locate the CERs, review them, and provide feedback on what
may be causing the crashing.

So, as you are feverishly working on your design projects, remember to periodically run the above
drawing maintenance/housekeeping commands. They only take seconds to run, but can save you
hours of lost time and frustration.

Activity 16

What does the purge command do?

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