I used AutoCAD LT a long while ago. I seem to remember that I could enter the starting point and how long you wanted the line to be.
Now I’m using AutoCAD LT 2000i and I can’t figure it out. Specifically, I’m trying to draw my house plan and I want specific measurements. For instance, I want a wall that is 10 foot 6 and 5/8 inches long. Is there an easy way to enter this, or do I have to figure out how to convert the measurement from feet and inches to my grid that is supposed to be 1/4"=1’?
To re-phrase the question, is there a way for me to simply state the dimensions of my room in feet and inches and have AutoCAD draw it to fit on an 8x11 piece of paper?
If you find how to do this on Google, please tell me what you used to search. I’ve been trying to do it all afternoon.
The major advantage of drawing anything in CAD is the ability to always draw objects as true size. Don’t scale when creating the drawing/model. Scaling is only done upon plotting, according to the plot device and paper size you are plotting on. In the CAD world, everything from nanotechnology to aircraft carriers is drawn in actual units.
As for entering units when drawing in AutoCAD, you have two options. The first is to use absolute coordinates. An example of this would be to use the line command, and enter 0,0 at the From: prompt, and then 2,2 at the next one, and then Enter to clear the command. This will draw a line from 0,0 to 2,2, in whatever units are configured for the drawing.
The second way is to use relative coordinates, which consist of a distance and angle. Using relative coordinates, the same line as above would be entered in the line command as follows:
@1.414<45
In this example, 1.414 is the distance, and 45 is the angle in degrees, starting from the west direction and working counter-clockwise. (90 is up, 180 to the left, 270 down).
You can also use the grid and snap commands to your advantage when freehand drawing.
nitpick: Those aren’t absolute/relative coordinates, those are rectangular and radial coordinates.
Absolute coordinates are given with reference to the origin of your current construction plane, in the form X,Y. Relative coordinates are given relative to your last referenced point in the form @X,Y.
The line drawn above will be from 0,0 to 2,2. Using relative coordinates, you could chose ANY point as the first endpoint of the line, and type in @2,2 and have the same length line originating at the point you started with.
So now that I have measured my house, I have to take that and convert to units?
For instance, if I have my grid spacing at 1/4", and my wall is 10’-4 1/2", and say I want the 1/4" = 1’ then I would have to enter the starting point of 0,0 as the starting point and the end point would be … ? I’m confused.
No, start in the “model” folder, and draw everything there full size. Don’t use the grid. Just insert the line at full length. Set your units to “architectural”, start the line at any point you like, and then use the relative coordinate system, e.g. the second point : @0,10’-4-1/2"
You might benefit from taking a class; these are tough concepts to express on a message board.
Basic use of AutoCAD such as this probably doesn’t require taking a class, but you should certainly buy a book of some sort. Simple line drawing is usually covered from start to finish in the first couple of chapters.
It has been several years since I used 2D AutoCAD. I much prefer parametric modelers such as Mechanical Desktop (where you can freehand draw something to its approximate shape, apply dimensions afterward, and the CAD system cleans it up and changes the drawing accordingly).
I work with Inventor now - great for modelling. Not so much for producing production drawings, but each release is making improvements.
Sorry for the confusion in terminology. Brain fart. Shadowfyre was correct - in fact, relative coordinates (@1,2 etc.) are probably the best way to draw contiguous lines such as interior walls of a house.
AutoCAD doesn’t care what your units are (apart from the more advanced features like moment of inertia calculations - your choices are then either inches or millimeters). Draw objects in Angstroms or light years - just be consistent, and always draw true size. Scaling (for producing a scaled drawing) is something the computer can do so you don’t have to worry about it.
I draw floorplans and elevations all the time using AutoCadLT98 and I use the offset tool almost exclusively. e.g. I will draw a line and continue at 90 degrees. Then I just offset the lines to my outside wall dimensions, offset again 4.75" for 5/8" drywall walls, and so on and so forth.
I recommend you set up layers for exterior walls, dmeo walls, cabinets, mechanical, etc. It makes things a lot easier to visualize.