Information Sheet 1.

1-1

Introduction to Cad Software

Learning Objectives
After reading this information sheet, you should be able to:

1. Define what is CAD software and its functions.

2. Name the Parts/Interface of AutoCAD software.

What is CAD software

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software is a type of software that allows
professionals in various fields, such as architecture, engineering, and manufacturing, to
create detailed and precise digital representations of physical objects or structures.
CAD software plays a crucial role in the design and development process by providing
tools for creating, editing, and visualizing 2D and 3D models.

It is important to understand that when we say CAD software, it is not pointing to

only one software. CAD software comes in different software application in which they
are designed for specific usage or purpose.

Some examples of CAD software are AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, Rhino,

Fusion360, and many others. You have to choose the CAD software which is suited to
the project that you are going to create.

In this module, since our main objective is to create necessary plans for
architectural drawings, we are going to use the AutoCAD software.

What is AutoCAD software

AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) software application which is
widely used in various industries, including architecture, engineering, construction, and
manufacturing. AutoCAD allows users to create detailed 2D and 3D drawings and
models of physical objects or structures.
Starting AutoCAD 2024
AutoCAD 2024 must be downloaded and installed on your computer. You can
download the software from the Autodesk website.
https://www.autodesk.com/products

Once you have installed Autodesk 2024 in your computer, you can simply search
and click the AutoCAD 2024 software in the search bar or double click the AutoCAD
2024 shortcut icon in the desktop.

After opening AutoCAD 2024, it will show you the Welcome dialog. The welcome
dialog will display your recent projects in which you can start a new project or may
open a previously created project.

In the Welcome dialog, click on the “New” option or you can click the “+”
button below the ribbon besides the Start tab to create a new project.
 When AutoCAD 2024 is open, a window will appear depending on the
workspace chosen, by default, the workspace is set to “Drafting and Annotation”.

You can switch between Workspaces in the “Gear Icon” found in the bottom right
of the Interface.
Parts of the AutoCAD Interface

1. Application menu/button.

It is present in the upper-left corner of the workspace. To close the application menu,
we can click anywhere outside the application button or window.

2. Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar is located at the top of the application window at the right
side of the application menu. It consists of a set of frequently used commands. We can
add and remove the commands according to the requirements.

3. Ribbon Panel

It provides access to the dialog box related to that panel. If the ribbon panel
disappears, then we need to enter the 'ribbon' on the command line to display the
ribbon panel on the workspace. The Ribbon is composed of Menu tabs, Groups and
Commands.

4. Menu tabs

The menu tab contains the groups and commands found in the ribbon. Each Mnu tabs
has different groups, tools and commands.
5. Command Groups

The Command Groups contains groups of commands with the same usage or purpose.
It is found in the Ribbon panel.

6. Commands

Commands in AutoCAD refers to an instruction or operation that you give to the

software to perform a specific task. Commands in AutoCAD are used to create, modify,
analyze, or annotate objects within a drawing. These commands cover a wide range of
functionalities, allowing users to accomplish various tasks related to drafting, designing,
and modeling.

7. User Coordinate System (UCS)

The UCS is the active coordinate system that represents the XY plane in 2D and XYZ planes
in 3D. It acts as the direction in the X, Y, and Z-axis for drawing and modeling. We can
control the origin and orientation of the UCS to make drawings according to the specific
points and coordinates. We can also work with drawing aids such as Grid and the ortho
mode.

The 2D UCS is shown in the given image:

The 3D UCS is shown in the given image:

8. Model Space / Work Space / Drawing Window

It is defined as the area to create 2D and 3D drawings, models, and objects. We can
create using different commands according to the requirements.

9. View Cube

The View Cube is termed as the navigation tool that is displayed when we are working
on a 2D or 3D model space. We can switch between the isometric view and the standard
view of our drawings or model.

10. Navigation Bar

The Navigation Bar is used to access the navigation tools. It is a user interface element,
where we can access both unified (common tools) and product-specific tools (unique
product tools).

The navigation bar is shown in the below image:

11. Model Layout Tab

A layout is defined as a 2D working environment for creating the drawing sheets.

The model tab is the screen where we create the 2D and 3D drawings.

If the model and layout tab is not visible, then follow the steps given below:

a. We need to click on the AutoCAD option displayed on the top left corner of the

screen, shown as
b. Click on the 'Options' button at the bottom. You can use the “Option” command to
open the Options Window.

c. Then on the 'display' option on the top, select the option 'Display Layout and Model
tabs' and then click 'Ok' as shown below:

12. Command Line Window (shortcut key- ctrl+9)

The command line window is used to write the commands. We need to press 'Enter' or
‘Space’ after typing any command. The AutoCAD also displays the steps after each
command on the Command line. We need to select the option and press 'Enter' after
each step.

13. Status Bar

The status bar displays the drawing tools that affect the drawing environment. It provides
quick access to most of the commonly used drawing tools. It includes options such as
ISODRAFT, ORTHOMODE, AUTOSNAP, OSNAP, WORKSPACE SWITCHING, etc.
14. View Control

The View Control is displayed on the top left corner of the viewport. It provides a suitable
way to change views, visual settings, and styles. It includes options such as top, bottom,
left, right, etc.

15. Visual Style Control

The Visual Style Control is the customized setting that controls the structure view of the
models or 3D drawings created on the Viewport. The options include 2D Wireframe,
Realistic, Shaded, Conceptual, Hidden, etc.

We can also enter the visual styles on the command line to display the options of the
visual style control.

After entering the command line, the box will appear displaying clear information with
figures for each option. It is shown in the below image:
16. Mouse Cursor

The cursor used to draw figures, etc. is known as the mouse cursor.

The cursor in 2D is shown in the given image:

The cursor in 3D is shown in the given image:

2D to 3D

The steps to convert the 2D display of AutoCAD into 3D are listed below:

o Click on the button on the status bar as shown in the below image:

o The drop-down list will appear. Select the 3D Modeling or 3D Basics option from
the drop-down menu as shown in the below image:

We can select 3D Modeling or 3D basics according to the requirements.

The 3D modeling will include advance commands to create 3D models.
The 3D Basics will include basic icons.
 Self-Check 1.1-1
Instruction: Label the parts of AutoCAD 2024 2D Drafting Annotation Workspace.

1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. ____________________
11. ____________________
12. ____________________
13. ____________________
14. ____________________
15. ____________________
16. ____________________
Self-Check 1.1-1 Answer Key

1. Application menu/button 9. View Cube

2. Quick Access Toolbar 10. Navigation Bar
3. Ribbon Panel 11. Model Layout Tab
4. Menu tabs 12. Command Line Window
5. Command Groups 13. Status Bar
6. Commands 14. View Control
7. User Coordinate System (UCS) 15. Visual Style Control
8. Model Space / Work Space
/ Drawing Window 16. Mouse Cursor