Learning the basic commands in AutoCAD is essential, as every further lesson builds upon utilizing knowledge of these basic commands. There are three different ways to enter commands in AutoCAD; however, you may find the method referenced here may be the fastest.
Getting Started
Since AutoCAD is used for many different design purposes, what command to begin with depends on what you are trying to draw. Sometimes you may know the length of the line or dimensions of the object you are creating; other times, you may be using AutoCAD to draw in a more "free form" style. AutoCAD allows you to create your drawing with or without knowing the exact dimensions.
Begin your drawing by selecting "format" from the drop-down menu, selecting "architectural units," and clicking on "okay." This will change the unit of measurement in your drawing from the metric system to the English system. If you forget to do this step, the program will not understand when you try to key in inches and feet.
Basic AutoCAD Commands
Typing "L" then hitting the space bar or the enter key (which are interchangeable) will activate the line command. Click on the screen to mark the beginning of the line and drag the mouse in the direction that you want the line to go. Clicking on the screen will tell the program where you want the line to end. Should you know the length you want the line to be, after you have typed "L enter," type in the amount of inches or feet (example 5 feet 3 inches) and hit enter. A line reflecting that measurement will appear on the screen.
The arc command is activated when you type "A enter." Click on the screen where you want the arc to begin and end.
To draw a circle, type "C enter." Click on the screen where you want the center of the circle to be and drag the mouse outward from it to adjust the size of the circle.
A rectangle can be drawn quickly by typing "rec then enter." Its dimensions may also be typed in or the size chosen on the screen by clicking once to begin the rectangle and dragging it out to the size you want. Clicking a second time tells the program you are choosing that particular size.
Creating Shapes
Let's say you have already created a shape and you want to make a copy of it somewhere else on your drawing. To do this, use the "copy" command. First click on the object that you want to copy. Next, type in "co then enter." Click on an empty space in your drawing. Use the mouse to drag the copy of the object to where you want it. Click once to put it there.
To move an object from its original location to another spot on your drawing screen, type in "M then enter," and select the object on the screen that you want to move. After you have clicked on the object, hit enter and click on an empty space in your drawing. Use the mouse to drag the object to its new location.
Should you want to create a mirror image of an object, either below it or beside it, use the mirror command. Type "MI then enter." Use the mouse to draw a line to the side of the object that you want to mirror. AutoCAD will then ask you if you want to delete the source object. Choose yes or no.
To erase an object, type "E then enter." Select the object you want to erase and hit enter.
