How to Draw in Feet and Inches in AutoCAD

Many AutoCAD users in the United States need to be able to create drawings in feet and inches. By default, AutoCAD is configured to work in decimal units, which is most appropriate for mechanical design applications or for those creating metric drawings. Designers who work in other disciplines need to be able to reset the units to meet their requirements, check following guide about autocad feet and inches.

Instructions
Step 1.
In AutoCAD, from the "File" menu, choose "New" to start a new drawing. By default, the drawing will be configured to use decimal units.

Step 2.
From the "Format" menu at the top of the screen, choose "Units." You will note that there are many unit types to choose from, including fractional, engineering and architectural. Select architectural feet and inches, then choose "OK."

Step 3.
Move your mouse; you should see that the coordinates displayed on your cursor, or in the lower left corner of the screen, are measured in feet and inches. You should also see that you are working in a very small area that measures just a few inches from corner to corner.

Step 4.
From the "Format" menu, choose "Limits." Enter 0,0 to identify the lower left corner of your drawing area. Enter 80',60' to specify the upper right corner of your drawing area.

Step 5.
From the "Zoom" menu, choose "Zoom All." It will not look as if anything has changed, but if you move your mouse, you should see that you are now working in an area large enough to draw a small house.



Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_5070524_draw-feet-inches-autocad.html#ixzz2m1bjQoi2

How to Copy One Layer to Another Layer with AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD LT is a program for creating high-precision drawings used in the engineering and manufacturing industries. Among its many tools for producing such drawings are those for creating and managing layers. AutoCAD LT's drawing layers can be understood by thinking of the layers of transparent drawings used in overhead slide projectors. Each layer contains a set images. The resulting composite image displays all images on all layers within a single frame. Maintaining different layers for different parts of your drawing keeps your drawing organized. One aspect of managing layers involves copying the objects from one layer onto another, autocad copy layer to another drawing. Copying all objects on a layer effectively copies the layer itself.


Instructions
Step 1. Open AutoCAD LT and create two objects on the default layer: Click the "Rectangle" tool on the "Draw" tab, then click-and-drag in the drawing window to create the rectangle. Click the mouse to complete the rectangle.

Step 2. Create a circle next to the rectangle by clicking the "Draw" panel's "Center, Radius" tool, then clicking-and-dragging in the drawing window. Click again to finish the circle.

Step 3. Display the layer manager by clicking the top-left icon in the "Home" tab's "Layer" panel.

Step 4. Create a new layer by clicking the "New Layer" button. (The button's icon displays an orange sun over a blue sheet of paper.) Notice that the layer manager now displays a new item with the name "Layer 1."

Step 5. Copy the first layer to the second layer: In the main drawing window, select all objects on the current drawing layer (called layer "0") by typing "Select," then pressing "Enter." (Note that you don't need to type into a command prompt, because AutoCAD LT accepts keyboard commands in its default state.)

Step 6. Click the circle and rectangle, then press "Enter" to complete the selection of both shapes.

Step 7. Click the small, downward-pointing arrow next to the "Layer" label at the bottom of the "Layers" panel. This action exposes the full set of layer commands.

Step 8. Click the "Copy Objects to New Layer" tool, then hover the mouse pointer over the drawing window.

Step 9. Enter "n" at the prompt "Select object on destination layer." This will display a dialog box for selecting the layer you want to copy the original layer to.

Step 10. Click the "Layer 1" item in the "Copy to Layer" dialog box, then click "OK."

Step 11. Click the light bulb icon for layer 0 in the layer manager window. This will make layer 0--the layer you originally drew the circle and rectangle one--invisible. The new layer, "Layer 1," will remain visible.

Step 12. Notice that the rectangle and circle remain in the drawing area, indicating that you've copied them onto layer 1, which is now the only visible layer.



Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_6626459_copy-another-layer-autocad-lt.html#ixzz2m1aiBQb4

How to Learn AutoCAD 3D

AutoCAD 3D is powerful design software used for architecture, civil engineering, industrial design and more. With AutoCAD's 3D tools, you can render 3D models of buildings, design any type of product or create a 3D rendering of an existing structure. There are many ways to learn AutoCAD 3D, from taking an online or instructor-led class to completing cad exercises in a workbook.

Instructions
1. Visit the Autodesk website (see Resources). Download a free 30-day trial of AutoCAD Civil 3D or AutoCAD 2010. You will need a PC computer that runs Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista.

2. Take an AutoCAD 3D online course from Autodesk University Online. Choose from classes that teach the basics of AutoCAD 3D or take classes that will teach you how to use specific tools of AutoCAD.

drawing exercises   

3. Purchase the book "AutoCAD 3D Modeling Workbook for Dummies." Follow along as the workbook teaches you how to create renderings in 3D, import and export designs, and make 3D models. Watch the bonus DVD for video demonstrations of AutoCAD 3D techniques mentioned in the book.

4. Read the book "AutoCAD 2008 in 3D." Study the book's detailed descriptions on modeling techniques and complete the suggested exercises and tutorials.

autocad drawing exercises   

5. Take an AutoCAD 3D class from a local technical college or trade school. Look for classes offered from experienced instructors who work in the design industry. Expect the class to include demonstrations of AutoCAD 3D features, one-on-one or small group instruction in front of the computer and homework assignments.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_4964749_learn-autocad-d.html#ixzz2m1YntPQO

AutoCAD limits command

AutoCAD drawing limits command is used to sets and controls the limits of the grid display in the current Model or layout tab, to set up autocad extents for the drafting space. 

How to access LIMITS: 

You can access to LIMITS function by two way, from the menu, or by inputting command in command line. 

Approach 1: Menu: Format  Drawing Limits
Approach 2:　Command entry: limits (or 'limits for transparent use)

After accessing to LIMITS, setting drawing limits in autocad as following instruction: 

Specify lower left corner or [ ON/ OFF] <current>: Specify a point, enter on or off, or press ENTER

Lower-Left Corner
Specifies the lower-left corner for the grid limits.
Specify upper right corner <current>: Specify a point or press ENTER

On
Turns on limits checking. When limits checking is on, you cannot enter points outside the grid limits. Because limits checking tests only points that you enter, portions of objects such as circles can extend outside the grid limits.

Off
Turns off limits checking but maintains the current values for the next time you turn on limits checking.

How to Insert Title Block on Paper Space in AutoCAD

If you are drawing or designing a 3-D object in AutoCAD, you may wish to view or edit it in “Paper Space” mode. This mode compresses it into a 2-D image, approximating what your design would look like as a drawing on paper. You can still edit the design in Paper Space, including the insertion of title blocks. Because AutoCAD title block appear separately from the main drawing, you will not need to modify them when you return to 3-D or “Model Space” mode.

You can also see more autocad title block tutorial, check more about how to make a title block in autocad. 

Instructions

Step 1. 
Open your design in AutoCAD. Click the text input window.

Step 2. 
Type “tilemode” (leave out quotes in all commands) and hit Enter. Then type “0” and hit Enter. This takes you into Paper Space mode.

Step  3. 
Type “mvsetup” and hit Enter. Type “titleblock” and hit Enter. Then type “insert” and hit Enter. A window will appear, allowing you to choose the title block.

Step 4. 
Click the title block to insert it. You can also choose from an autocad title block template. 

Step 5. 
Select your plot scale in the next window that appears.

Step 6. 
Hit Enter to insert the title block.