What is AutoCAD and how important is this software?

You've probably heard of AutoCAD and some of its applications, but have you ever thought about doing it before the development of this software? In the fifteenth century, approximately 600 years ago, Leonardo da Vinci created the first technical drawings of which one has the record.

Through the wealth of detail and according to the observer's angle, his drawings were able to show distinct visions of what was on paper.

But despite the undeniable talent of the polymath Leonardo da Vinci, how long would it take him to elaborate on each of his arts? Were days or months?

Today, with technological advancement and the enormous competitiveness of the labor market, the faster a design is ready, the better for the company.

In this context, AutoCAD is a program that has gained prominence in companies around the world. Among the emergence of so many software capable of assisting in drawing design, it is the one that best meets the requirements of precision and agility.

In order for you to have even more mastery over this incredible tool and learn about the main functions of AutoCAD, we have separated in this article several topics full of information and news. Check it out!

• What is AutoCAD?
• What is the importance of AutoCAD?
• Basic commands
• Learn more about AutoCAD
• Ready to use AutoCAD?

So how about knowing a little more about this program? Through this article, I intend to tell you everything you need to know to kick-start the universe of computer-assisted technical drawing.

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCad is software used in a variety of areas, such as construction and the automotive industry, to create technical drawings and project development.

This program can be used in both 2D and 3D project creation.

Regarding its origin, AutoCAD was created and marketed by Autodesk Inc since 1982. Nor can it be emphasized that this program is within the concept of computer aided design (CAD) technology.

What is the importance of AutoCad?

AutoCad is fundamental for the elaboration of drawings and projects with a high degree of precision, so much that the number of sectors of the economy that use this program is very great.

For Architectural and Civil Engineering professionals, AutoCAD is essential for both the technical detailing of the complete construction and the visualization of a visual architecture before the real one.

Also, using AutoCAD, it is possible for the client to have an idea of whether or not the project is as desired.

Already in the interior design industry, AutoCAD has become essential for the technical detailing of floor plans.

This program is also widely used in many Mechanical Engineering, such as automotive, naval and aeronautical, for the creation of parts and equipment.

In the areas of Electrical Engineering, AutoCAD is used for the planning of the wiring of commercial and residential environments and also for the design of electronic equipment.

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Basic commands

Interface Graphical

The area of ​​AutoCAD is very friendly and resembles a giant drawing board, but with a large number of tools.

View Cube - Similar to a wind wheel, it is a tool in which you can see the drawing through different angles.

Navigate Bar - This taskbar has tools that make it easy to navigate and view details of a project.

Icon UCS - Indicate the X and Y axes of the project.

Command bar (Prompt) - In this bar, you can see all the tools that are being used.

Status Bar - Provides quick access to the most commonly used drawing tools, for example:

• Snap Mode (F9 Keyboard Shortcut) - Option to move the cursor according to settings set by the user.
• Grid (F7 Keyboard Shortcut) - Turns on or off a help grid.
• Ortho (Keyboard Shortcut F8) - With this tool active, all objects will be drawn orthogonally.
• Polar (F10 Keyboard Shortcut) - With this tool active, all objects will be drawn following defined angles.
• Object Snap (Keyboard Shortcut F3) - Perhaps the most important and used drawing assistant. With this feature, the cursor searches for important points in objects, such as endpoints, midpoints, etc.

Draw

Now that you already know the graphical interface of AutoCAD, how about knowing the main drawing tools?

• Line - Creates a line segment of the desired size. It can be accessed by clicking on the menu or by typing the "Line" command.
• Polyline - Enables the creation of a sequence of straight lines or curves forming a single object. It can be accessed by clicking on the menu or by typing the "PLine" command.
• Rectangle - This command creates a rectangle in using a Polyline from a colon. It can be accessed by clicking on the menu or by typing the "REC" command.
• Circle - This command creates a circle from a user-defined center and radius. It can be accessed by clicking on the menu or by typing "C".
• Arc - This command creates an arc from user-defined, start, middle, and end parameters. It can be accessed by clicking on the menu or by typing "A".
• Polygon - Creates a polygon from the choice of the number of sides and distance between the center and a vertex. It can be accessed by clicking on the menu or by typing "Pol".
• Ellipse - Allows you to create ellipses and elliptical arcs from the center, the first half-axis and the second half-axis. It can be accessed by clicking on the menu or by typing "EL".
• Hatch - This command is used to create hatches on objects. It can be accessed by clicking on the menu or by typing "Ha".

Learn more about AutoCAD

Up to the time of this article's publication, the latest version of AutoCAD 2019 including Specialized Toolsets introduces new features and is compatible with computers running the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS operating systems in versions 7, 8.1, and 10, processor at least 2.5 GHz, 8GB RAM and video card above 1GB.

The AutoCAD mobile app is now available, as well as a version in which the user does not need to download the program. In AutoCAD Web, you can access from anywhere and edit projects online in real-time directly on the Autodesk website.

In relation to the price, this software can cost around R $ 6 thousand reais per year. But if you are a student or need AutoCAD for educational purposes, the Autodesk Education Community provides a free version download for up to 3 years.

Ready to use AutoCAD?

Now that you know the functionality of AutoCAD, do not waste time and start using this program to make your life easier, whether it's creating architectural drawings or developing new products.

But, if you want to be empowering yourself more and more to the job market, I highly recommend our AutoCAD 2D course. Here you will learn the interface of the program, the main resources, and tools used by companies, develop projects, draw parts, plot engineering and architecture projects, and more!

With this kit you will receive 3 templates to

analyse and present the KPI's from your company.

See below which presentation templates

are included in this kit.