2.3. DRAWING TOOLS

A. LINE COMMAND:

It creates one or series of straight line segments here each line segment is a separate object.

COMMAND: LINE or L (PRESS ENTER)

• From point: 10, 10
• To point: (Move the cursor horizontally to right with ortho ON) type 20, press enter.
• To point: (Move the cursor horizontally up) type 20, press enter.
• To point: (Move the cursor horizontally to left) type 20, press enter.
• To point: c.

The Line Command in CAD software is used to draw straight lines. Each line segment you create is treated as an individual element, which means they can be edited separately. You initiate the command by typing 'LINE' or just 'L' and pressing Enter. After that, you specify the starting point for your line (for example, at coordinates 10, 10). You then dictate where the line extends by providing the endpoint coordinates. By following the steps mentioned, you can draw lines in various directions: right, up, left, and close the shape using 'c'.

Think of drawing lines in CAD like drawing a path on a piece of paper. You start at a point, decide how far and in which direction to go, and then make your next turn at right angles until you've created your desired design, similar to navigating a map.

B. CIRCLE COMMAND:

It creates a circle.

• CENTER AND RADIUS: Draw a circle based on a center point and radius.
• CENTER AND DIAMETER: Draw a circle based on a center point and diameter.
• THREE POINT (3P) CIRCLE: Draw a circle based on 3 points on the circumference.
• TWO POINT (2P) CIRCLE: Draw a circle based on two points of a diameter.
• TANGENT TANGENT RADIUS: Draw a circle tangent to an existing object with a specified radius.

COMMAND: CIRCLE or C.

The Circle Command allows you to create perfect circular shapes in your drawing. You can specify how to draw the circle by using different methods: by defining a center point and either a radius or diameter, or by using three points on the circumference to establish the circle's size. Additionally, if you need to position the circle relative to other objects, you can use the Tangent Tangent Radius option, which allows the circle to touch existing shapes while maintaining a specified radius.

Imagine you’re drawing a pizza. You can have a specific center point (like the center of the pizza) and decide how large you want it to be (radius) or how long to make the crust (diameter). Or, if you’re really hungry, you might want three friends to hold up points around the pizza to help you outline your perfect pie!

C. ARC COMMAND:

It creates an arc and is used to add curved segments to the drawing.

• THREE POINT ARC: Draws an arc using three specified points on the circumference.

COMMAND: ARC or A.

The Arc Command is useful for creating curves within your drawings. You can create an arc by specifying three points that define its shape. The first point is the start of the arc, the second point helps to shape the arc, and the third point ends the arc. This allows the arc to fit smoothly into the design.

Think of drawing an arc as if you were drawing the top of a rainbow. You start at one point, decide how high or low you want the arc to rise, and determine where it will end. The three points you choose create that beautiful curve, just like the way a rainbow forms in the sky.

D. PLINE COMMAND (POLY LINE):

Polyline is a series of connected line segments created as one object. The width of the object can be controlled.

COMMAND: PLINE or PL.

The Polyline Command allows you to create shapes made of multiple connected straight line segments and/or arcs. It essentially combines them into a single object that you can manipulate as one. You can adjust the width and shape of the polyline, which makes it particularly useful for custom designs where you want consistency across all segments.

Imagine you are drawing a path through a garden. Each segment you draw represents a turn or straight portion of the path. Instead of treating each segment as separate pieces, you want them to be part of one continuous trail, making it easier to adjust the whole path as needed.

F. POLYGON COMMAND:

It creates a regular polygon with the given number of sides and side length.

COMMAND: POLYGON or pol.

The Polygon Command is designed to draw shapes that have equal-length sides and equal angles, like squares or triangles. You can specify how many sides the polygon should have and the length of each side during creation. It’s a straightforward way to generate symmetrical and regularly shaped figures.

Think of making a cookie cutter in a specific shape, like a star or heart. You decide how many points or sides the shape should have, and then you determine how big it needs to be. Once you set those parameters, you can easily create a perfect shape that you can then use in your baking!

RECTANGLE COMMAND:

It creates a rectangle. This rectangle acts as one object.

COMMAND: RECTANGLE or rec.

The Rectangle Command allows you to create rectangles by simply selecting two opposite corners. The resulting rectangle is treated as a single object, which simplifies the editing process. You can also add properties like chamfers and fillets to the corners to create finished edges.

Creating a rectangle is similar to laying down the foundation blocks of a house. You pick two corners to establish the shape, and everything in between fills in to create your solid foundation. Each rectangle can represent a room or structure, which you can further detail as needed.

H. ELLIPSE COMMAND:

It is used to create an ellipse by selecting three points.

COMMAND: ELLIPSE or el.

The Ellipse Command allows you to draw elliptical shapes by selecting three defining points. This creates a smooth, oval shape, which is different from a circle due to its elongated nature. You simply pick the points where you want the ellipse to be defined and the software creates the shape accordingly.

No real-life example available.