Introduction to AutoCAD Commands
AutoCAD is a computer-aided software design and drafting application developed by Autodesk, an American multinational corporation. AutoCAD runs on operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. It is available in 13 different languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Polish, Hungarian. Before discussing the technicalities involved in AutoCAD, its commands, applications, etc., let’s understand in a more distinguished way how was the world before and after AutoCAD. The below pictures can make any layman understand what AutoCAD is and how it has revolutionized the design industry.
Before AutoCAD
After AutoCAD
Simply put, AutoCAD can be used in any industry where automation of design is required. AutoCAD is used in the Automobile industry, Fashion industry by graphic designers, civil engineers, etc. So far, we have understood what AutoCAD is and how it is used in different industries. Now let’s go through how it works, how to use AutoCAD software, its commands, tips, and tricks to use it. To make the understanding of the software less complicated, let us first into the basic commands, then at the intermediate and advanced commands lastly.
Basic AutoCAD Commands
- L – L stands for the line, the very basic command to draw a line.
- C – C to draw a circle
- REC – REC is for the rectangle; you can draw a rectangle in AutoCAD using this option
- ARC – This command is used to create the arc in AutoCAD
- POL – As the name suggests, it is to draw a polygon on the AutoCAD workspace. Using this option, you can draw a shape from 3 to 1024 sides.
- CO – This command is to copy any shape drawn on the workspace
- B – This command is used in AutoCAD to create a block, and the properties of the block can also be defined in the Block window
- F – F stands for fillets in Auto CAD. This command is used to make sharp edges of the shapes round and smooth.
- SC – This command can be used to change the scaling of the selected object
- OP – This command is used in AutoCAD to open the options Window, where most AutoCAD settings are present.
Intermediate AutoCAD Commands
Below are some of the commands:
GROUP
To merge a set of objects into a single unit, you can use the group command of AutoCAD to list. You can select the objects that you want to group and group them.
CAL
CAL is basically an inline calculator present in AutoCAD. Instead of using the external calculator, you can use the customized AutoCAD calculator, which evaluates real and integral value equations and expressions.
QSELECT
QSELECT is a specification tool in AutoCAD. As the name suggests, you can select the objects that fall into the specific category you choose. This option is more useful when you have many objects with similar properties and you want to execute a function on all of them at the same time. In this case, you can use QSELECT and distinguish the objects, group them, and execute the desired actions on them.
PAGESETUP
This AutoCAD command is used to change the page setup to landscape or portrait or another dimension. This can be done using the Page Setup Manager.
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VPORTS
VPORTS command in AutoCAD is used to create multiple viewports in the layout
EATTEDIT
EATTEDIT stands for Enhanced Attribute Editor in AutoCAD. This command is used to edit already created attributes of the block. You can use EATTEDIT in command prompt to get this editor or go to InsertàEdit Attributesà Single or go to ModifyàObjectà The other easiest way to get the editor is to DoubleClick the block.
HYPERLINKS
Hyperlinks in AutoCAD is a very useful property but mostly not realized. Any object in AutoCAD, be a line or circle or a block when you investigate its properties, you have a file called a hyperlink. You can use it to link it to any web page or even any local file on your hard drive. This AutoCAD command can be used for marking any references to the sources from which the information was drawn or to get any extra information about the object in the workspace.
RENAME
As the name suggests, you can use this command to rename the selected object accordingly.
STANDARDS and CHECKSTANDARDS
CAD standards are basically a set of rules for the user for a proper direction to use the different layers, colors, line types etc. You can set up your standards file and save them.
EATEXT
This is a command to extract data from any object to an external file.
Advanced AutoCAD Commands
- APPLOAD: This AutoCAD command is used to define applications at the time of starting AutoCAD.
- DIMRADIUS: This command is used to create dimensions for circles and arcs.
- LIGHT: The LIGHT command manages lighting effects on 3D models depending on the user’s interest
- OOPS: This is a very useful command in AutoCAD. It restores the recently deleted objects.
Tips and tricks to use AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD is a vast software that has n number of commands, tabs, instructions, standards to use. It could be a little difficult for a beginner to cope up with AutoCAD.
One can use the below tips to use AutoCAD effectively.
- Autocorrect: AutoCAD 2015 brings an option where once a command is mistyped, it will autocorrect it to the most relevant command
- Start tab: Whenever the AutoCAD workspace is opened, the start tab displays where it contains tips, demonstration videos to help the user
- File navigation dialog box: The File navigation dialog box is generally used to open, save, attach files. Now it comes with an option to remember the past sort order.
- Default dimension layer: Now, we can set up a default dimension layer with a DIM layer system variable; with this option, one can save time.
Conclusion
AutoCAD is a revolutionary software that has taken automation and design to the next level. Its versions in 13 languages of the world prove how deeply it has reached the global industries. Learning AutoCAD is one of the very best job opportunities to learn and earn.
You can get to know more about AutoCAD here
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This has been a guide to AutoCAD commands. Here we have discussed basic as well as advanced and immediate AutoCAD commands. You may also look at the following article to learn more –
