This document provides definitions for 100 terms and commands used in computer-aided drafting (CAD). Some key terms defined include annotations, blocks, dimensions, layers, model space, and properties. Important commands summarized include LINE, ARRAY, FILLET, MIRROR, BLOCK, and SCALE. The document serves as a reference for the essential elements, functions, and commands used in CAD software.
This document provides definitions for 100 terms and commands used in computer-aided drafting (CAD). Some key terms defined include annotations, blocks, dimensions, layers, model space, and properties. Important commands summarized include LINE, ARRAY, FILLET, MIRROR, BLOCK, and SCALE. The document serves as a reference for the essential elements, functions, and commands used in CAD software.
This document provides definitions for 100 terms and commands used in computer-aided drafting (CAD). Some key terms defined include annotations, blocks, dimensions, layers, model space, and properties. Important commands summarized include LINE, ARRAY, FILLET, MIRROR, BLOCK, and SCALE. The document serves as a reference for the essential elements, functions, and commands used in CAD software.
1. Absolute coordinates - It is a way of inputting points which are based on
AutoCAD’s origin. 2. Annotations - Text, dimensions, tolerances, symbols, notes, and other types of explanatory symbols or objects. 3. Annotation Scale - A setting that is saved with model space, layout viewports, and model views. 4. Array - A series of objects arranged in a rectangular or polar (circular) pattern. Can be 2D or 3D. 5. Assembly - An object made from components or subassemblies. 6. Associative Dimension - A dimension that automatically adjusts its size and value when the associated geometry is modified. 7. Attribute - An object that is included in a block definition to store alphanumeric data. 8. Balloon - An annotation tag, typically circular, usually containing a number or letter that represents the object's value in the accompanying text or BOM. 9. Base View - A 2D view projected directly from a 3D model. 10. Block - A generic term for one or more objects that are combined to create a single named object. 11. Block Definition - The name, base point, and set of objects that are combined and stored in the block definition table of a drawing. 12. Block Instance - A named compound object that is inserted in a drawing and displays the data stored in a block definition. 13. BIM - A process supporting the generation and management of a digital representation of a physical model. 14. Callout - An annotation typically comprised of a leader line and a balloon. 15. Center Point - The exact center of a circle, arc, equilateral polygon or ellipse. 16. Chamfer - When the corner between two connected lines is replaced by a short line. 17. Clean Screen - It is display on which you draw your drawing and it is of full size. 18. Coordinates - A set of magnitudes represented as x, y, and z, coordinates that determine the relative positioning of an object within the drawing space. 19. Crosshairs - This terminology is used for your cursor which is used to move in your drawing area. 20. Cross Section - A 2D, cut-through view of a 3D object. 21. Database - It is basically, one large database containing all information which one needed to reproduce objects, when file is opened. 22. Dialog Box - It uses a dialog box method to get information from user. 23. Dimension - A graphical object indicating on a drawing, the sizes of the object and the other details essential for its construction and function. The basic types of dimensions are Linear, Radial, Angular, Ordinate, and Arc Length. 24. Definition Point - A node located at the end of an extension line corresponding to the location on the object being dimensioned. 25. Draft - Typically used to describe the 2D and isometric line drawings created from 3D objects and engineering drawings. 26. Drawing Template File - The preset values are used for frequently used settings. The file containing preset values has an extension of DWT. 27. Dynamic Block - Dynamic blocks contain rules and restrictions that control the appearance and behavior of a block when it is inserted into a drawing or when it’s later modified. 28. Exploded drawing - A 2D visualization of a disassembled assembly. 29. Extents - It is outer boundaries of objects that has been drawn. 30. Extrude - A technique of dragging a 2D dimensional boundary, face or polygon into a 3D object, either along a single axis or with a taper. 31. Field - A specialized text object set up to display data that may change during the life cycle of the drawing. 32. Font - A character set, made up of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and symbols of a distinctive proportion and design. 33. Grips - Grips are used for small handles on objects which allow for quick editing. 34. Island - An enclosed area within another enclosed area. Islands may be detected as part of the process of creating hatches, polylines, and regions. 35. Layer - A logical grouping of data that are like transparent acetate overlays on a drawing. 36. Limits (Grid) - It is a setting to make an artificial boundary on your drawing. When limits are turned on, it limits you to drawing in that area. 37. Model Space - The space where user models their objects is called Model space. 38. Node - A type of object snap that locates point objects, dimension definition points, and text origin points. 39. Object - One or more graphical elements, such as text, dimensions, lines, circles, or polylines, treated as a single element for creation, manipulation, and modification. 40. Object Enabler - A tool that provides specific viewing and standard editing access to a custom object when the ObjectARX application that created the custom object is not present. 41. Origin - The zero 'starting point' of an object or block. 42. Parametric Drawing - A feature that assigns constraints to objects, establishing the distance, location, and orientation of objects with respect to other objects. 43. Perspective - A view that mimics the 'real world view'. Displaying objects as smaller when they are further away. 44. Properties - Properties that are common between a selection of objects. 45. Regenerate - A command to refresh the current drawing references and resolution. 46. Ribbon - The panel that is displayed along the top of the workspace, it provides you with quick access to the most frequently used commands. 47. Schematic Diagram - An image that represents a complex item in a simple way, typically electrical wiring or similar. 48. Text - The generic term for textual annotations in a drawing. Text can be defined as either Multiline Text (MTEXT) or Single Line Text (TEXT or DTEXT for Dynamic Text). 49. Vertex - A point at the junction of a polyline, polygon or vertices. 50. WCS - A fixed coordinate system that differences the location of all entities in a drawing. 51. AUDIT – Check and remove errors from your work 52. CLOSEALL – Close all of the open windows in AUTOCAD 53. CO/COPY – Copy objects or text 54. DI/DISTANCE – Find the distance between two point in a drawing 55. I/INSERT – Insert (existing block or drawing as a block) 56. LIST – Access the properties of the different objects within a drawing 57. OOPS – Restore the last object you deleted 58. OP/OPTIONS – Open the options window (contain the settings for AutoCAD) 59. PASTECLIP – Paste copied objects from clipboard into your work 60. PREVIEW – See how your work will be presented when printed 61. QSAVE – Autosave the files you’re working on 62. RECOVERALL – Recover and repair a corrupted or damaged drawing 63. RO/ROTATE – Rotate an object 64. SAVEALL – Save all the open drawings in AutoCAD 65. SP/SPELL – Perform spell check on selected text 66. BCOUNT – Count the number of blocks in your drawing 67. DS/DDOSNAP – Open the Drafting Settings window 68. L/LINE – Create a simple line 69. LA/LAYERS – Open the Layer Properties Manage Palette (which allows you to tweak the settings for layers) 70. HIDEOBJECTS – Hide selected objects in a drawing 71. HIGHLIGHT – Highlight a selected object in a drawing 72. A/ARC – Create an arc 73. REC/RECTANGLE – Create a rectangle 74. POL/POLYGON – Produce a polygon 75. ISOLATE – Hide all objects in a drawing except the one you have selected 76. SKETCH – Draw a freehand sketch within a piece of work 77. ST/DDSTYLE – Open the text style window 78. F/FILLET – Add rounded corners to the sharp edges of objects 79. COPYBASE – Copy an object according to a base point 80. MI/MIRROR – Produce a mirror copy of an object 81. BASE – Alter the base point of a drawing without changing its origin 82. B/BLOCK – Create a block 83. BREAK – Create a break (or gaps) in objects at one or two points 84. GROUP – Group multiple objects into a single unit 85. BURST – Explode a block but retain its attribute settings and layer definition 86. CHA/CHAMFER – Add slanted edges to sharp corner of objects 87. SC/SCALE – Change the scale of an object 88. UNITS – Alter the unit settings of your drawing 89. PURGE – Remove unused objects from a drawing 90. AR/ARRAY – Make a rectangle, polar or path array 91. PL/PLINE – Make a polyline 92. DIVIDE – Divide objects into multiple equal parts 93. TR/TRIM – Trim a shape or line 94. 3DALIGN – Align a 3D object with another 3D solid 95. HELIX – Create a helix 96. SURFPATCH – Fill open areas of a surface 97. SURFTRIM – Trim surfaces within a piece of work 98. TORIENT – Change the orientation of text 99. SCALETEXT – Change the scale of text 100. OVERKILL – Remove overlapping or unnecessary objects from your work