AutoCAD® Pocket Reference

By Cheryl R. Shrock

• Offers a unique programmed approach that takes users through the mathematics in a step-by-step fashion with a wealth of worked examples and exercises.
• Contains Quizzes, Learning Outcomes and Can You? Checklists that guide readers through each topic and focus understanding.
• Ideal as reference or a self-learning manual.

Extra Bonus! Visit Personal Tutor Online at www.palgrave.com/stroud, the companion website maintained by this book's British publisher, where you'll find hundreds of interactive practice questions and engineering applications questions putting the mathematics in context.

• Provides a quick reference to most basic AutoCAD commands.
• Features easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions.
• Includes AutoCAD releases 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Industrial Press, Inc.
• Release date: May 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9780831190262

Cheryl R. Shrock

Cheryl R. Shrock recently retired as Professor and Chairperson of Computer Aided Design at Orange Coast College (CA) where she had taught since 1990.  She is an Autodesk® registered author. Previous to teaching, she owned and operated a commercial product and machine design company, using CAD to create and document designs. This book draws upon both her teaching and industry experience. 

Book preview

Section 1

Action Commands

ARRAY

The ARRAY command allows you to make multiple copies in a RECTANGULAR or Circular (POLAR) pattern. The maximum limit of copies per array is 100,000. This limit can be changed but should accommodate most users.

RECTANGULAR ARRAY

This method allows you to make multiple copies of object(s) in a rectangular pattern. You specify the number of rows (horizontal), columns (vertical) and the offset distance between the rows and columns. The offset distances will be equally spaced.

Offset Distance is sometimes tricky to understand. Read this carefully. The offset distance is the distance from a specific location on the original to that same location on the future copy. It is not just the space in between the two. Refer to the example below.

To use the rectangular array command you will select the object(s), specify how many rows and columns desired and the offset distance for the rows and the columns.

Example of Rectangular Array:

Example of Rectangular Array on an angle:

Notice the copies do not rotate. The Angle is only used to establish the placement.

RECTANGULAR ARRAY (Step by step)

1. Select the ARRAY command using one of the following:

Ribbon = Home tab / Modify panel /

Keyboard = Array

2. Select Rectangular Array.

3. Select the Select Objects button. This will take you back to your drawing. Select the objects to Array then .

4. Enter the number of rows. (Horizontal rows)

5. Enter the number of columns. (Vertical columns)

6. Enter the row offset. (The distance from a specific location on the original to that same specific location on the future copy.) See example on pg. 1-2.

7. Enter the column offset. (The distance from a specific location on the original to that same specific location on the future copy.) See example on pg. 1-2.

8. Enter an angle if you would like the array to be on an angle.

9. Select the Preview button.

If it looks correct, right click. If it is not correct, press the ESC key, make the necessary corrections and preview again.

(Note: If the Preview button is gray, you have forgotten to Select objects- #3)

POLAR ARRAY

This method allows you to make multiple copies in a circular pattern. You specify the total number of copies to fill a specific Angle or specify the angle between each copy and angle to fill.

To use the polar array command you select the object(s) to copy, specify the center of the array, specify the number of copies or the angle between the copies, the angle to fill and if you would like the copies to rotate as they are copied.

Example of Polar Array

Copies Rotated

Copies Not Rotated

Select More button to specify Objects Base Point (Refer to page 1-5)

Note: the two examples shown on the previous page use the objects default base point. The examples below displays what happens if you specify a basepoint.

List of Default Base Point locations

Arc, Circle and Ellipse = Center of Object

Polygon and Rectangle = First Corner

Line, Polyline and Donut = Starting Point

Text and Block = Insertion Point

Note: If you select multiple objects the base point of the last object selected is used to construct the Array.

The difference between Center Point and Object Base Point is sometimes confusing.

Center Point

When specifying the Center Point, try to visualize the copies already there. Now, in your mind, try to visualize the center of that array. In other words, it is the Pivot Point from which the copies will be placed around.

Base Point

The Base Point is different. It is located on the original object. You must select the Base Point in addition to the Center Point. They are two different options.

POLAR ARRAY (Step by step)

1. Select the ARRAY command using one of the following:

Ribbon = Home tab / Modify panel /

Keyboard = Array

2. Select Polar Array.

3. Select the Select Objects button.

This will take you back to your drawing. Select the objects to Array then .

4. Select the Center Point button and select the center point with the cursor or enter the X and Y coordinates in the Center Point boxes.

5. Select the method. (Examples on the next page)

6. Enter the Total number of items, Angle to fill or Angle between items.

7. Select whether you want the items rotated as copied or not.

8. Accept the object’s default base point or enter the X and Y coordinates. (Select the More button to show this area. Select the Less button to not show.)

9. Select the Preview button.

If it looks correct, right click. If it is not correct, press the ESC key, make the necessary corrections and preview again.

(Note: If the Preview button is gray, you have forgotten to Select objects- #3)

Total number of items & Angle to fill

Total number of items & Angle between items

Angle to fill & Angle between items

How to create a RECTANGULAR ARRAY

1. Draw a 1" square Rectangle. □

2. Select the ARRAY command using one of the following:

Ribbon = Home tab / Modify panel / Array ▼

or

Keyboard = Array

3. Select Rectangular Array.

4. Select Objects: Select the Object to be Arrayed.

5. Select Objects: Select more objects or to stop

6. Specify opposite corner for number of items or [Base point / Angle / Count] : Type B

7. Specify base point or [Key point] : Select the Base Point

8. Specify opposite corner for number of items or [ Base point / Angle / Count] : Type C

9. Enter number of rows or [Expression] <4>: Type 3

Note:

Place the cursor away from the base point.

Do not rest the cursor on the base point.

10. Enter number of columns or [Expression]: <4>: Type 4

11. Specify opposite corner to space items or [Spacing] : Type S

12. Specify the distance between rows or [Expression] <1.500>: Type 2

13. Specify the distance between columns or [Expression] <1.500>: Type 3

14. Press Enter to accept or [Associative /Base point / Rows / Columns / Level / eXit] :

If the Array is correct: Press

If the Array Is not correct select one of the options, change and accept.

How to create a RECTANGULAR ARRAY with an ANGLE

1. Draw a 1" square Rectangle. □

2. Select the ARRAY command using one of the following:

Ribbon = Home tab / Modify panel / Array ▼

or

Keyboard = Array

3. Select Rectangular Array.

4. Select Objects: Select the Object to be Arrayed.

5. Select Objects: Select more objects or to stop

6. Specify opposite corner for number of items or [Base point / Angle / Count] : Type B

7. Specify base point or [Key point] : Select the Base Point

8. Specify opposite corner for number of items or [ Base point / Angle / Count] : Type A

9. Specify the row axis angle <0>: Type 30

10. Specify opposite corner for number of items or [ Base point / Angle / Count] : Type C

11. Enter number of rows or [Expression] <4>: Type 3

12. Enter number of columns or [Expression]: <4>: Type 4

13. Specify opposite corner to space items or [Spacing] : Type S

14. Specify the distance between rows or [Expression] <1.500>: Type 2

15. Specify the distance between columns or [Expression] <1.500>: Type 3

16. Press Enter to accept or [Associative /Base point / Rows / Columns / Level / eXit] :

If the Array is correct: Press

If the Array Is not correct select one of the options, change and accept.

How to edit a RECTANGULAR ARRAY

1. Select the Array to edit.

The Array panel is displayed. (The Quick Properties will also be displayed if you have the QP button ON in the Status bar.)

2. Enter the desired rows, columns, spacing etc. and .

3. Press Esc key to stop.

Using Grips to edit.

You may also use the Grips to edit the spacing. Just click on a grip and drag.

A. The first ► or ▲ allows you to change the spacing between the rows or columns.

B. The last ► or ▲ allows you to change the total spacing between the base point and the last ► or ▲

C. The ■ allows you to change the total row and column spacing simultaneously.

D. Use the Base Point grip to MOVE the entire Array.

How to create a POLAR ARRAY

Using Number of Items.

1. Draw a 3" Radius circle.

2. Add a .50 Radius 3 sided Polygon and place as shown.

3. Select the ARRAY command using one of the following:

Ribbon = Home tab / Modify panel / Array ▼

or

Keyboard = Array

4. Select Polar Array.

5. Select Objects: Select the Object to be Arrayed. (Polygon)

6. Select Objects: Select more objects or to stop

7. Specify center point of array or [Base point / Axis of Rotation] Select the Center Point

8. Enter number of items or [Angle between/Expression] <4>: Type 12

9. Specify the angle to fill (+=ccw, -=cw) or [Expression]: Type 360

10. Press Enter to accept or [Associative /Base point / Items / Angle between / Fill angle/ ROWs/ Levels/ ROTate items / eXit] :

If the Array is correct: Press

If the Array Is not correct select one of the options, change and accept.

How to create a POLAR ARRAY

Using Angle Between

1. Draw a 3" Radius circle.

2. Add a .50 Radius 3 sided Polygon and place as shown.

3. Select the ARRAY command using one of the following:

Ribbon = Home tab / Modify panel / Array ▼

or

Keyboard = Array

4. Select Polar Array.

5. Select Objects: Select the Object to be Arrayed. (Polygon)

6. Select Objects: Select more objects or to stop

7. Specify center point of array or [Base point / Axis of Rotation] Select the Center Point

8. Enter number of items or [Angle between/Expression] <4>: Type A

9. Specify angle between items or [Fill angle/Expression]<90>: Type 45

10. Specify number of items or [Fill angle/Expression] <4>: Type 6

11. Press Enter to accept or [Associative /Base point / Items / Angle between / Fill angle/ ROWs/ Levels/ ROTate items / eXit] :

If the Array is correct: Press

If the Array Is not correct select one of the options, change and accept.

How to create a POLAR ARRAY

Using Fill Angle

1. Draw a 3" Radius circle.

2. Add a .50 Radius 3 sided Polygon and place as shown.

3. Select the ARRAY command using one of the following:

Ribbon = Home tab / Modify panel / Array ▼

or

Keyboard = Array

4. Select Polar Array.

5. Select Objects: Select the Object to be Arrayed. (Polygon)

6. Select Objects: Select more objects or to stop

7. Specify center point of array or [Base point / Axis of Rotation] Select the Center Point

8. Enter number of items or [Angle between/Expression] <4>: Type 8

9. Specify the angle the angle to fill (+=ccw, -=cw) or [Expression]: Type 180

10. Press Enter to accept or [Associative /Base point / Items / Angle between / Fill angle/ ROWs/ Levels/ ROTate items / eXit] :

If the Array is correct: Press

If the Array Is not correct select one of the options, change and accept.

How to create a PATH ARRAY

1. Draw half a circle.

2. Add a small circle as shown.

3. Select the ARRAY command using one of the following:

Ribbon = Home tab / Modify panel / Array ▼

or

Keyboard = Array

4. Select PathArray.

5. Select Objects: Select the Object to be Arrayed. (Little Circle)

6. Select Objects: Select more objects or to stop

7. Select Path Curve: Select the Path

Note: The Path can be a line, polyline, spline, helix, arc, circle or ellipse.

8. Enter number of items along path or [orientation/Expression]: Type 10

9. Specify the distance between items along path or [Divide/Total/Expression]