Bernd-Stephan Palm - Introduction to AutoCAD 2020: 2D and 3D Design

Master the complexities of the worlds bestselling 2D and 3D software with Introduction to AutoCAD 2020. Ideally suited to new users, and relevant for both AutoCAD 2020 and AutoCAD 2021, this book will be a useful resource for drawing modules in both vocational and introductory undergraduate courses in engineering and construction. Experienced users will also find the updated images, commands and software information to be essential reading in order to adapt to the latest AutoCAD interface.

A comprehensive, step-by-step introduction to the latest release of AutoCAD. Covering all the basic principles and acting as an introduction to 2D drawing, it also contains extensive coverage of all 3D topics, including 3D solid modelling and rendering.

Written by a member of the Autodesk Developer Network.

Hundreds of colour pictures, screenshots and diagrams illustrate every stage of the design process.

Worked examples and exercises provide plenty of practice material to build proficiency with the software.

Further education students will find this an invaluable textbook for City & Guilds AutoCAD qualifications as well as the relevant Computer Aided Drawing units of BTEC National Engineering, Higher National Engineering and Construction courses from Edexcel. Students enrolled in Foundation Degree courses containing CAD modules will also find this a very useful reference and learning aid.

Bernd S. Palm is an experienced lecturer and examiner. He worked as a program manager, and developed course content for online classes on different CAD software.

BERND S. PALM

First published 2020
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2020 Bernd S. Palm

The right of Bernd S. Palm to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book

ISBN: 978-0-367-41740-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-81602-5 (ebk)

Typeset in Sabon by
Servis Filmsetting Ltd, Stockport, Cheshire

The contents of this chapter are designed to introduce features of the AutoCAD 2020 window and methods of operating AutoCAD 2020.

AutoCAD 2020 is designed to work in a Windows operating system. In general, to open AutoCAD 2020 double-click on the AutoCAD shortcut in the Windows desktop ().

When working in education or in industry, computers may be configured to allow other methods of opening AutoCAD, such as a list appearing on the computer in use when the computer is switched on, from which the operator can select the program he/she wishes to use.

When AutoCAD 2020 is opened, the Start page appears, giving access to recent drawings, system information and the Start Drawing button (). The Drafting & Annotation workspace shows the following details:

Ribbon: which includes tabs, each of which when clicked will include a set of panels containing tool icons. Other tool panels can be seen by clicking an appropriate tab.

Fig. 1.1 The AutoCAD 2020 shortcut on the Windows desktop

Fig. 1.2 The Start Page

Fig. 1.3 The AutoCAD 2020 Drafting & Annotation workspace

Fig. 1.4 The Menu Browser

Menu Browser icon: A left-click on the arrow to the right of the A symbol at the top left-hand corner of the AutoCAD 2020 window causes the Menu Browser menu to appear ().

Command line: can be changed as shown in .

Tool panels: each includes tool icons appropriate to the panel. Taking the Home/Draw panel as an example, ). Navigation bar: contains several tools that may be of value.

Fig. 1.5 The Workspace Switching popup menu

Fig. 1.6 The command palette when dragged from its position at the bottom of the AutoCAD window

Fig. 1.7 The extended tooltip appearing with a click on the Line tool icon

Fig. 1.8 The tooltip for the Circle tool and its popup menu

Fig. 1.9 The Open icon in the Quick Access toolbar brings the Select File dialog to screen

Fig. 1.10 The three-button mouse with scrolling wheel

Many operators working in AutoCAD will use a two-button mouse as a digitizer. There are other digitizers that may be used pucks with tablets, a three-button mouse, etc. shows a mouse that has three buttons, the middle mouse button being a wheel.