Hi! i´m a complete novis on autocad lt and need to learn fast. Thing is that i have free access to a lasercutter. Problem is that i need to learn autocad before i can use it. I´m trying to make a drawing for a seatpan. No problem making one half of it, but i cant figure out how to copy that half and paste it to make a "whole" seatpan.
Not easy trying to explain this on another language without sounding like a retard
From what I know there should be a mirror function in autocad. For autocad to be able to perform this action it first needs the object to be mirrored and then it wants the axle or plane to mirror the object around. Imagine your self standing in front of a mirror and now see yourself and the mirror from the side. You will see your on profile and the mirror will look like a vertical line. The mirror is the axle or plane I was talking about earlier and the object is you.
Try finding the mirror function and you should be set.
You're looking for the "mirror" command, and it's under the "modify" tab in my version...the icon looks like this:
There are several easier and more modern CAD programs you can use, and have the files converted to DXF or DWG format. I think Autocad is one of the least intuitive and most irritating CAD programs I've ever worked with, and i've NEVER understood the hype...but I reckon it's the standard.
Next question: Do i always have to go to "Options->Snap and grid" and chose "Display grid beyond limits". Isnt there any way to save that as a default option?
I'm slightly surprised that autocad is still being used for that. My computer is actually sitting on a " autocad and its apps book lol. Catia, soldworks, and inventor seem to be the most popular now a days. All three of those to me seem to be more user friendly than autocad.
I'm slightly surprised that autocad is still being used for that. My computer is actually sitting on a " autocad and its apps book lol. Catia, soldworks, and inventor seem to be the most popular now a days. All three of those to me seem to be more user friendly than autocad.
Not sure if they use AutoCad, but i was told to get the files in .DXF and my first thought was to do it in AutoCad.
you can make quick 2d vector drawings in illustrator or coreldraw and save as a dxf too. i use corelx4 ( yeah i know im limited and cheap ) for my graphics business and its what i use to draw my axle plates that i get cut.
You should save what you have so far and that way if you mess something up you can go back to a previous drawing save and get back to where you are. I always save by name and date. Like, seatpan061612A.dwg and so on. So each day I will save several times by just changing the last letter to B, C, D and so on. And, each day has a specific date of course and then I just date it and each save I know which is my latest by that date and alpha character. This way if you mess up with mirror or something else just go back to your latest save and start again.
Now, down in the command prompt line you can just type in mirror, erase, line, curve, tangent or save, etc. for whatever command you need until you get your settings set up the way you want them. Also, to create a DXF file you can save your drawing as one or type in the command prompt DXFOUT and it will ask some questions to what objects you would like to select and point of origin, which I always use 0,0,0. By selecting objects needed I don't wind up selecting any line work that I use for design like baselines or arcs and curves that are not part of the final product and I usually create a layer for that temporary line work so that I can turn it on and off by layer. Make sure you define where you want to save the file such as what folder so you do not lose it. Trust me I have had to make so many mistakes to figure out AutoCAD that like some of the replies that you have received so far I was ready to absolutely give up but by trial and error I can get stuff done, saved and sent to someone.
Hope this helps to get you going on the seat pan and then later you can proceed with setting up AutoCAD the way your want it.
You should save what you have so far and that way if you mess something up you can go back to a previous drawing save and get back to where you are. I always save by name and date. Like, seatpan061612A.dwg and so on. So each day I will save several times by just changing the last letter to B, C, D and so on. And, each day has a specific date of course and then I just date it and each save I know which is my latest by that date and alpha character. This way if you mess up with mirror or something else just go back to your latest save and start again.
Now, down in the command prompt line you can just type in mirror, erase, line, curve, tangent or save, etc. for whatever command you need until you get your settings set up the way you want them. Also, to create a DXF file you can save your drawing as one or type in the command prompt DXFOUT and it will ask some questions to what objects you would like to select and point of origin, which I always use 0,0,0. By selecting objects needed I don't wind up selecting any line work that I use for design like baselines or arcs and curves that are not part of the final product and I usually create a layer for that temporary line work so that I can turn it on and off by layer. Make sure you define where you want to save the file such as what folder so you do not lose it. Trust me I have had to make so many mistakes to figure out AutoCAD that like some of the replies that you have received so far I was ready to absolutely give up but by trial and error I can get stuff done, saved and sent to someone.
Hope this helps to get you going on the seat pan and then later you can proceed with setting up AutoCAD the way your want it.
Linear Mode
