Hello readers, you all are aware of the Autodesk’s AutoCAD. And I hope you also know that it is one of the very basic CAD applications to learn for every designer and engineer. It’s main strength lies in its tools. There are many important AutoCAD tools to learn. Learning these tools will allow you to create designs, draftings, handle rendering and modifying the CAD projects.
These tools are used for 2D and 3D design. As per my experience, I have seen many engineers using AutoCAD for designing purpose mainly, even I do that too.
Below I have described the important tools which I used inside AutoCAD in may day to day work life.
Most Commonly Used and Important AutoCAD tools
The important AutoCAD tools are as follow:-
- LINE
- POLYLINE
- CIRCLE
- RECTANGLE
- TRIM
- EXTEND
- COPY
- MIRROR
- ROTATE
- ERASE
- OFFSET
- ARRAY
- MOVE
- SCALE
- FILLET
- EXPLODE
Various AutoCAD tools
LINE
You can’t create a draft or any plan without adding a line. Thus, AutoCAD starts its tools list with Line Tool. By using line command we create numerous line segments. But all line segments are separated to each other.
Shortcut key which is used for line command is L+ Enter.
POLYLINE
Polyline tool is used for drawing a single object that is composed by line and arc segments which are connected or linked to each other. If we select the created polyline; its show a complete segment instead of separated lines.
Please note that its shortcut key is PL+Enter.
CIRCLE
Discuss the radius and define the point of center and this Circle tool forms a complete shape of circle with exact dimensions. It is as simple as that.
Try its shortcut key always while using it in AutoCAD and it is C+Enter.
RECTANGLE
This tool is a very basic one to use inside the workspace of AutoCAD. You can draw square as well as rectangles using this tool. You need to specify the dimension in order to form the exact size rectangle.
Don’t forget the shortcut key, it’s REC+Enter.
TRIM
Trim as the name suggests is used to remove the unwanted extending edges and line. You can use it for removing the polyline, circle, edges or you can call them lines, etc. It is super easy to use and I found it useful always while working on drawings in AutoCAD.
Shortcut key is TR+Enter.
EXTEND
Extend is opposite to the trim command. In this command we can extend the line or polyline to meet the other objects. In simple words, this command is used to extend the objects which are actually not intersect their edges.
Looking for its shortcut key? Here it is: EX+Enter
COPY
This tool is used to copy the selected objects and shift them to specified place. So, it does two works at a time which is super cool thing about this tool.
In this command, we first select the objects and specify their base point and next specify the second point where you want to replace the copied objects.
The shortcut key of copy command is CO+Enter.
MIRROR
I love Mirror as it helps me to mirror the selected objects at any angles. This is used for drawing symmetrical objects.
For this, firstly we select its first point which is center point and next second point and press enter to mirror the objects.
Mirror tool’s shortcut key is MI+Enter.
ROTATE
This tool is used to rotate any objects around its base point and on a certain angle.
Use RO+Enter as its shortcut key
ERASE
Got some unwanted areas in the drawing? Don’t worry we got Erase in AutoCAD to handle it. It is used for erasing the unwanted objects from selected areas of the drawings. This tool comes under the modify tools group.
The shortcut key for this command is ERA+Enter.
OFFSET
Offset is used to draw a parallel objects at certain distance. The objects cab be line, polyline rectangle, circle, etc. Please remember, in order to offset the objects we need to specify the offset distance and offset side.
Shortcut key for Offset is OFF+Enter.
ARRAY
I mostly use it whenever I want to make an object’s multiple times in circular or in rectangular arrangement.
MOVE
This Move tool is used to move the selected objects to other side at specified distance without changing their size and orientation.
M+Enter is the shortcut to use with this command
SCALE:- The purpose of using this Scale is to change the size of an objects in drawing. Isn’t it simple?
FILLET
It comes under the modify group and can reduce the area of concentration. By using this tool we can round the corner of selected shapes.
EXPLODE
Here is Explode, the last one in the list but I would call it one of the most important AutoCAD tools to learn for sure. This tool is used to remove the small detail from the drawing. Firstly we select the object and then press enter to explode the objects.
Conclusion of the blog
Thus, we can seen that in AutoCAD, drawings, plans and elevations can be drawn and further modified by using the above mentioned tools. These tools are the one which I use in my day to day work life. We can further colour up our drawings and plans by inviting other tools too in the list. So, I would suggest you to try the remaining tools too as there are many more to explore.
About Author
I am Er. Rakesh Roushan, Electrical engineer in feedback infra pvt.ltd. Pursuing AutoCAD course at CAD Training Institute.