This keyboard command quickly zooms to show the entire model. At this point, the model should look like the diagram below. Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E. Instead, it measures the distance between alignment holes in the shipping container. This base rectangle does not represent a built component. When prompted, enter 0,0 as the start point. Make sure that the snaps for Intersection, Endpoint, and Midpoint are highlighted. The OSNAP function is an on-off switch, constraining many of the drawing and editing tools to “lock” to predefined points in the model. The ORTHO function is an on-off switch, constraining many of the drawing and editing tools to moving along the X-Y axes.Ĭlick the key repeatedly until you see the note “” at the Command prompt. The current layer will receive any newly created objects.Ĭlick the key repeatedly until you see the note “” at the Command prompt. Type -LA at the Command prompt, then type S, then type GRID, then click Enter twice. It is conventional to choose distinct colors to make it easy to visually discern objects in different layers.ġ.6 Set the GRID layer as the current layer. In particular, colors should not be expected to bear any relationship to the material being represented. These layers will store the objects you build. Using this panel, click the New Layer button to create layers named GRID, WALLS, FLOOR, ROOF, and DOOR. This opens the Layer Properties Manager panel. “Architectural” units mean feet and inches. This setting changes how AutoCAD interprets the numbers and dimensions you enter. Type UNITS at the Command prompt, then set the Length type to Architectural. However, its results are often unpredictable.ġ.4 Set the drawing units to feet and inches. The SNAP command is related although SNAP can be set to snap to off-grid points.ġ.3 Turn off the Dynamic User Coordinate System.Ĭlick repeatedly on the DUCS button below the Command prompt until you see the indication “.” The Dynamic User Coordinate System is a feature which dynamically adjusts the XYZ coordinate system while you draw. Its spacing can be changed by typing GRID. The background grid is a legacy feature from old versions of AutoCAD. Type GRID at the Command prompt, then type OFF. Under the (upper left hand corner of the screen), choose New Drawing use the acad.dwt template. It leads to the creation of a simplified model of a shipping container.ġ.1 Open AutoCAD and begin a New Project. THIS TUTORIAL is a brief introduction to basic modeling tools in AutoCAD.