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Getting Started with DraftSight
Getting Started with DraftSight

Getting Started with DraftSight: Learning how to use the free DraftSight CAD program for 2D computer-aided design has never been easier thanks to this Beginner's Guide. Covers everything from installation to executing and printing a real-world mechanical design project.

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Profile Icon JOAO ANTONIO C DOS SANTOS
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Getting Started with DraftSight

Chapter 2. Drawing with Precision

We are going to start drawing with precision, drawing lines, and learning how to delete entities. Depending on project dimensions, it may be necessary to zoom in or out, also explained in this chapter.

In this chapter we will cover the following topics:

  • Defining coordinates

  • Drawing lines

  • Deleting lines and other entities

  • Applying auxiliary tools to draw with precision

  • Visualizing the drawing

Defining coordinates


An essential step in all CAD programs is to draw with precision. Defining entity points like endpoints of a segment line or a circle center, without any doubt is a constant process, which can be achieved by introducing coordinates, absolute or relative. There are also several auxiliary tools that ease the process, as shown later in the chapter.

Absolute coordinates

DraftSight uses a Cartesian system, with an origin and three orthographic axes: X, Y, and Z. All points are referenced with coordinates related to these axes. In 2D drawings, the Z coordinate can be omitted.

So, to define a 2D point in absolute coordinates, two values must be set: the first along the X axis and the second along the Y axis, separated by a comma:

X_value,Y_value

Examples, as displayed in following diagram, are the points -2,3; -3,-2; 1,-2; or 4,2.

Note

Absolute coordinates are mainly used with georeferenced drawings or in 3D models. In Mechanical Drafting normally there is no need for these coordinates...

Drawing lines and deleting


Let's start drawing lines with precision. After trying this command, several lines should be deleted, thus introducing entities selection.

Drawing lines

The LINE command (alias L, on the Draw toolbar, or Draw on the main menu) creates segment lines. By default, it prompts only for points and connect them with separate lines. When done, press Esc or Enter to end the command:

LINE
Options: Segments or
Specify start point» P1
Options: Segments, Undo, Enter to exit or
Specify next point» P2
Options: Segments, Undo, Enter to exit or
Specify next point» P3
Options: Segments, Undo, Close, Enter to exit or
Specify next point» P4
Options: Segments, Undo, Close, Enter to exit or
Specify next point» Esc

Points can be defined by pressing the left mouse button or by coordinates. Later in this chapter we will make a drawing with coordinates.

Without ending the command, the Undo option allows for undoing the last defined point. It can be applied several times until undoing the...

Graphical auxiliary tools


DraftSight includes some graphical auxiliary tools, presented next, that considerably case the process of defining points with precision. These tools are accessed by buttons located on the status bar, at the bottom of the graphical interface or by the keyboard function keys.

Note

The auxiliary tools settings can be modified in the middle of a command.

Ortho and Polar

When Ortho function (F8 key) is on, the cursor locks on the X or Y directions (normally horizontal and vertical) and the obtained points related to the previous point are orthogonally aligned.

Note

To define points that are horizontally or vertically aligned to previous points with Ortho On, we just direct the cursor to the wanted direction and type the distance. For instance, instead of defining a point @10,0, we turn on Ortho, move the cursor to the right, type 10 and press Enter or the Space bar.

The Polar function (F10 key) is similar, but allows for locking directions with angles which are not multiples...

Visualization tools


In CAD, it is advisable to always draw at 1:1 scale. In order to get the desirable precision, zooming and panning while drawing or consulting is a continuous task. Having a wheel mouse or other advanced input device with scroll functionality, zooming and panning are a straightforward process. With a wheel mouse we can:

  • Zoom in/zoom out: Rotating the wheel forward we zoom in, we see more detail. Rotating the wheel backward we zoom out, we see less detail and more of our model.

  • Zoom fit: With a quick double-click on the wheel, we see the drawing extension. This means the area occupied by entities in the model.

  • Pan: By holding down the wheel and dragging the mouse, we slide the view, maintaining the same zoom factor.

Zooming and panning can be used transparently, in the middle of a command.

The ZOOM command (alias Z, Zoom toolbar or View main menu) allows us to modify the visualization scale without a wheel mouse, thereby presenting several options. By default, it prompts...

Exercise 2.1


Only with the LINE command and auxiliary tools, we are going to make the drawing displayed in the following diagram (first angle projection, also known as European projection).

  1. With the NEW command, start a new drawing from the standardiso.dwt template.

  2. As there is a line at 15 degrees, with the cursor over the Polar button, select Settings, apply a 15 degrees Incremental angles for Polar guide display and confirm with clicking on OK.

  3. Turn on Polar, ESnap, and ETrack. We are going to start drawing the front view (above) from the lower-right corner. With the LINE command, click on a first point anywhere, direct the cursor left, and digitize 50. Now direct the cursor up and digitize 16. Direct the cursor right and digitize 10. The first three segments should be drawn.

  4. If the LINE command has been cancelled, apply it again (if DraftSight is prompting for a command, the Enter key repeats the last used command) and press Enter again to start from the last point. Then, applying relative...

Summary


This chapter includes all the important tools that allow drawing with precision, starting with the three types of coordinates used to define points: absolute, relative Cartesian and relative polar.

In order to start drawing, the LINE and DELETE commands were presented, as well as the most common entities selection method. The graphical auxiliary tools include the Ortho function, to specify points orthogonally; the Polar function, to define points over a default multiple angle; entity snaps to get precise entity points; ETrack function to derive points from default entity snaps and over Polar; Snap and Grid functions to draw quick schematic drawings with equally spaced points.

Finally, the most important visualization commands were introduced, namely ZOOM and PAN, as well as modifying visualization with a wheel mouse.

In the next chapter, the most important creation and modification commands will be presented, allowing us to start creating projects.

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Key benefits

  • Create precise mechanical drawings with DraftSight
  • Download and install this free software in Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • Learn how to dimension and prepare sheets for printing with fully illustrated exercises

Description

Computer-aided design (CAD) uses computer systems to assist in the creation, modification, and analysis of a design. DraftSight is a 2D computer-aided design (CAD) software application. DraftSight includes all the main tools to draft with precision, and it works with DWG files, the most popular CAD file type. It runs on a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Getting Started with DraftSight addresses all the main phases for executing and printing a mechanical project. These concepts and commands can easily be applied to other areas. Beginning with the very basic concepts, and going through all the necessary drawing steps, you will finish by printing a full scale mechanical drawing. The illustrative examples will help you understand the design process and teach you how to utilize DraftSight features in your mechanical design projects. You will start with an overview of the mechanical design process, which will help you understand the different commands, tools, and tasks involved in DraftSight projects. You will then proceed to executing all the phases of the design process. This includes setting up a drawing, drawing and editing with precision, organizing with layers, and finally obtaining valid information from the drawing. Furthermore, you will also learn to apply fills, patterns, and dimensions, and the process of defining and printing sheets. With "GettingStarted with DraftSight" you will learn how to specify and document parts and print drawings with the help of DraftSight. Towards the end of this book you will be introduced to some advanced concepts like additional layer commands, and methods to reference other drawings or images, which can be very useful when dealing with complex projects.

Who is this book for?

Getting Started with DraftSight is for anyyone who wants to create accurate 2D drawings in the DWG file format. It is also a great resource for architectural, engineering, or design professionals and students. The reader needs to have basic knowledge of CAD.

What you will learn

  • Download and get started with DraftSight
  • Create drawing entities with precision
  • Structure projects and follow standards
  • Build simple and complex projects
  • Create and apply components (blocks)
  • Apply fills and regular patterns
  • Dimension mechanical drawings
  • Define printing sheets and print efficiently
  • Reference other drawings and images
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Publication date : Aug 26, 2013
Length: 180 pages
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Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781782160243
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Table of Contents

11 Chapters
Introduction to DraftSight Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Drawing with Precision Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Starting to Create Projects Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Structuring Projects and Following Standards Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Inquiring Projects and Modifying Properties Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating Complex Projects Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating and Applying Components Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Applying Fills and Patterns Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Documenting Projects Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Printing Efficiently Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Advanced Tools Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

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PoG Mar 15, 2018
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Ho trovato questo testo molto completo e chiaro per le mie esigenze.Mi ha consentito di diventare operativo con il CAD in poco meno di un mese, anche se non è la mia attività primaria.
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