AutoCAD stands for Automatic Computer-Aided Design.
It’s a professional design and drafting
software developed and marketed by Autodesk Inc. since 1982. AutoCAD was one of the first CAD
programs available for personal computers and has since become one of the most widely used tools in
engineering, architecture, construction, and manufacturing.
AutoCAD is a powerful, professional-grade tool that enables users to create highly detailed and accurate
drawings and models. Its long history, rich feature set, and adaptability across industries make it one of the
most essential tools in modern design and engineering workflows.
Key Features of AutoCAD:
• 2D Drafting: Create detailed technical drawings and schematics.
• 3D Modelling: Build and visualize complex 3D models and structures.
• Customization: Users can automate tasks and customize workflows using Auto LISP, VBA, or .NET
APIs.
• File Compatibility: Supports DWG (native format), DXF, PDF export, and more.
• Layers and Blocks: Efficiently manage elements within drawings for complex projects.
Common Uses:
• Architecture: Floor plans, elevations, sections.
• Engineering: Mechanical part design, electrical schematics, civil infrastructure.
• Construction: Site layouts, plumbing and HVAC diagrams.
• Manufacturing: Tooling, fixtures, and machine components.
Autodesk also offers specialized toolsets within AutoCAD:
• AutoCAD Architecture
• AutoCAD Mechanical
• AutoCAD Electrical
• AutoCAD Map 3D
• AutoCAD Plant 3D
AutoCAD User Interface (UI)
Section Description
Title Bar Displays the name of the current file
Ribbon Toolbar with categorized commands (Draw, Modify, Annotate, etc.)
Drawing Area Main workspace where the drawing appears
Command Line Text input area for commands (bottom of the screen)
Status Bar Tools for snap, grid, ortho mode, etc.
View Cube/Navigate Bar For switching views in 3D (optional)
AutoCAD Tools List (2D & 3D)
Draw Tools (2D Drawing)
Tool Command Description
Line LINE or L Draws straight lines
Polyline PLINE or PL Draws connected line and arc segments
Circle CIRCLE or C Creates a circle
Arc ARC Draws an arc
Rectangle RECTANGLE or REC Draws a rectangle
Ellipse ELLIPSE Draws an ellipse
Polygon POLYGON Draws equilateral polygons
Spline SPLINE Creates a smooth curve
Hatch HATCH or H Fills area with patterns
Text (Single) TEXT Creates single-line text
Text (Multiline) MTEXT Creates multi-line text
Table TABLE Inserts a table
Revision Cloud REVCLOUD Draws a revision bubble
Boundary BOUNDARY Creates a polyline from enclosed area
Region REGION Converts closed loops into regions
Modify Tools (2D Editing)
Tool Command Description
Move MOVE or M Moves selected objects
Copy COPY or CO Copies objects
Rotate ROTATE or RO Rotates selected objects
Mirror MIRROR or MI Creates a mirrored copy
Offset OFFSET or O Creates parallel lines
Trim TRIM or TR Cuts objects at a boundary
Extend EXTEND or EX Extends lines to meet boundaries
Fillet FILLET Rounds corners (arcs between lines)
Chamfer CHAMFER Bevels the edge between two objects
Array ARRAY Creates rectangular, polar, or path copies
Stretch STRETCH Moves parts of objects
Scale SCALE or SC Resizes objects
Explode EXPLODE or X Breaks a compound object into parts
Join JOIN Connects lines, arcs into a single object
Break BREAK Breaks an object into two pieces
Units
Layer
Align
Annotation Tools
Tool Command Description
Dimension DIM Adds dimensions to drawings
Linear Dimension DLI Adds horizontal/vertical dimensions
Aligned Dimension DAL Adds dimensions along an object’s length
Angular Dimension DAN Measures angle between two lines
Radius DRA Measures radius of an arc or circle
Diameter DIA Measures diameter of a circle
Leader / Multileader MLEADER or LEADER Adds leader lines with annotations
Center Mark CENTERMARK Marks the center of a circle
Centerline CENTERLINE Adds centerlines to objects
Object Properties & Layer Tools
Tool Command Description
Properties PROPERTIES or CH Opens the properties palette
Match Properties MATCHPROP or MA Matches object properties
Layer Manager LAYER or LA Opens Layer Properties Manager
Layer On/Off LAYON / LAYOFF Turns layers on or off
Freeze/Thaw LAYFRZ / LAYTHW Temporarily hides/unhides layers
Isolate/Unisolate LAYISO / LAYUNISO Hides all except selected layer
View & Navigation Tools
Tool Command Description
Zoom ZOOM or Z Zooms in/out
Pan PAN or hold middle mouse Moves the view
Orbit (3D) 3DORBIT Rotates 3D model in view
View Manager VIEW Saves and restores named views
UCS UCS Sets coordinate system
PLAN PLAN Returns to top view
Block & Group Tools
Tool Command Description
Block BLOCK or B Creates a block from selected objects
Insert Block INSERT or I Inserts a block
Explode Block EXPLODE Breaks block into parts
Group GROUP Groups multiple objects
Ungroup UNGROUP Breaks group into individual objects
Wblock WBLOCK Writes block to an external file
Output & Plotting Tools
Tool Command Description
Plot/Print PLOT or CTRL+P Opens the print/plot dialog
Page Setup PAGESETUP Sets paper size, layout settings
Export EXPORT Exports drawing to PDF, DWF, etc.
DWG to PDF PLOT + Choose PDF printer Creates a PDF from drawing
3D Modeling Tools (Basics)
Tool Command Description
Box BOX Creates a 3D box
Sphere SPHERE Creates a sphere
Cylinder CYLINDER Creates a cylinder
Cone CONE Creates a cone
Extrude EXTRUDE Turns 2D shapes into 3D solids
Revolve REVOLVE Revolves a 2D profile around axis
Union UNION Combines solids into one
Subtract SUBTRACT Subtracts one solid from another
Intersect INTERSECT Keeps common volume of objects
Bonus: Common Utility Commands
Tool Command Description
Undo UNDO or CTRL+Z Reverts last action
Redo REDO or CTRL+Y Re-applies last undone action
Purge PURGE Removes unused items from drawing
Audit AUDIT Checks and fixes drawing errors
Measure MEASUREGEOM Measures distance, radius, angle, etc.
