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# Outline of the Article - H1: AutoCAD 2018 Tutorial First Level 2D Fundamentals: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners - H2: Introduction - What is AutoCAD and what are its benefits - What is the purpose and scope of this tutorial - Who is this tutorial for and what are the prerequisites - H2: Getting Started with AutoCAD 2018 - How to install and activate AutoCAD 2018 - How to launch and exit AutoCAD 2018 - How to use the AutoCAD user interface and customize it - H2: Controlling the Display in Drawings - How to set up drawing limits and units - How to use zoom and pan commands to navigate drawings - How to use grid and snap options to draw precisely - H2: Creating Basic Drawings - How to use line and circle commands to draw shapes - How to use erase command to delete objects - How to use coordinate systems to specify positions - H2: Modifying Drawings - How to use move, copy, rotate and scale commands to transform objects - How to use trim, extend, fillet and chamfer commands to modify objects - How to use mirror, array and offset commands to create patterns - H2: Adding Text and Dimensions - How to create and edit text objects using text and mtext commands - How to create and modify dimension styles using dimstyle command - How to add and edit dimensions using dimlinear, dimangular and dimradius commands - H2: Creating Layers and Blocks - How to create and manage layers using layer command - How to assign properties and colors to layers using layer properties manager - How to create and insert blocks using block and insert commands - H2: Working with Layouts and Plotting - How to create and modify layouts using layout command - How to set up page setup and plot settings using page setup manager - How to plot drawings using plot command - H2: Conclusion - Summarize the main points of the tutorial - Provide some tips and resources for further learning - H2: FAQs - What are the benefits of AutoCAD certification? - How can I practice the skills learned in this tutorial? - What are some common errors and how can I fix them? - What are some advanced features of AutoCAD 2018 that are not covered in this tutorial? - Where can I find more tutorials and books on AutoCAD 2018? # Article AutoCAD 2018 Tutorial First Level 2D Fundamentals: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners ## Introduction AutoCAD is one of the most popular and widely used computer-aided design (CAD) software in the world. It allows you to create, edit, visualize and document 2D and 3D drawings for various purposes, such as architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, etc. AutoCAD has many features and tools that can help you design faster, more accurately and more creatively. The purpose of this tutorial is to introduce you to the basic concepts and techniques of 2D drawing using AutoCAD 2018. You will learn how to use the AutoCAD user interface, how to control the display in drawings, how to create basic drawings, how to modify drawings, how to add text and dimensions, how to create layers and blocks, and how to work with layouts and plotting. This tutorial covers the performance tasks that have been identified by Autodesk as being included on the AutoCAD 2018 Certified User Examination. This tutorial is intended for beginners who have little or no experience with AutoCAD or CAD software. To follow this tutorial, you need a computer with AutoCAD 2018 installed and activated. You also need a basic understanding of Windows operating system and mouse operations. ## Getting Started with AutoCAD 2018 Before you start drawing with AutoCAD 2018, you need to install and activate the software on your computer. You can download a free trial version of AutoCAD 2018 from the Autodesk website or purchase a subscription from an authorized reseller. To activate the software, you need to sign in with your Autodesk account and enter the product key and serial number that you received after purchasing the software. To launch AutoCAD 2018, you can double-click the AutoCAD 2018 icon on your desktop or click the Windows Start button and select AutoCAD 2018 from the list of programs. To exit AutoCAD 2018, you can click the X button on the top right corner of the application window or type QUIT and press Enter at the command prompt. When you launch AutoCAD 2018, you will see the AutoCAD user interface, which consists of several components, such as: - Application menu: This is the large A icon on the top left corner of the application window. It contains commands for creating, opening, saving, printing and publishing drawings, as well as accessing options and help. - Quick Access toolbar: This is the row of icons below the application menu. It contains frequently used commands, such as New, Open, Save, Undo, Redo, etc. You can customize this toolbar by adding or removing commands from it. - Ribbon: This is the area below the quick access toolbar. It contains tabs, panels and buttons that organize commands by categories, such as Home, Insert, Annotate, etc. You can switch between tabs by clicking on them or using Ctrl+Tab keys. You can expand or collapse panels by clicking on the arrow icons on their bottom right corners. You can access more commands by clicking on the drop-down menus or dialog box launchers on some panels. - Drawing area: This is the large area in the center of the application window. It displays the current drawing that you are working on. You can zoom in or out of the drawing by using the mouse wheel or the Zoom command. You can pan or move the drawing by holding down the mouse wheel or using the Pan command. - Status bar: This is the row of icons and buttons at the bottom of the application window. It displays information and settings related to the current drawing, such as coordinates, grid, snap, ortho, polar, osnap, etc. You can toggle these settings on or off by clicking on them or using keyboard shortcuts. - Command window: This is the area below the status bar. It displays prompts and messages from AutoCAD and allows you to enter commands and values using your keyboard. You can also access commands by typing their names or aliases at the command prompt. You can customize the AutoCAD user interface by changing its appearance, size and position. You can also create and modify workspaces that save your preferred arrangement of user interface elements. To access these options, you can click on the gear icon on the bottom right corner of the application window or use the Options command. ## Controlling the Display in Drawings One of the first steps in creating a drawing with AutoCAD 2018 is to set up drawing limits and units. Drawing limits define the size and boundaries of your drawing area. Drawing units define how units of measurement are displayed and interpreted in your drawing. To set up drawing limits, you can use the Limits command. This command allows you to specify two points that define a rectangular area for your drawing. For example, if you want to create a drawing that is 12 inches wide and 9 inches high, you can enter 0,0 as the lower left corner point and 12,9 as the upper right corner point. To set up drawing units, you can use the Units command. This command allows you to specify how units are formatted and scaled in your drawing. For example, if you want to use inches as your unit of measurement and display four decimal places for precision, you can select Architectural as your unit type and 0.0000 as your unit precision. To control how your drawing is displayed on your screen, you can use zoom and pan commands. Zoom commands allow you to change the magnification level of your drawing. Pan commands allow you to move your drawing within your drawing area. Some of the most common zoom commands are: - Zoom Extents: This command zooms to display all objects in your drawing. - Zoom Window: This command zooms to display a rectangular area that you specify by picking two points. - Zoom Previous: This command zooms to display the previous view of your drawing. - Zoom Realtime: This command zooms in or out dynamically by dragging your mouse up or down. Some of the most common pan commands are: - Pan Realtime: This command pans your drawing dynamically by dragging your mouse. - Pan Point: This command pans your drawing by specifying a base point and a displacement point. To draw precisely with AutoCAD 2018, you can use grid and snap options. Grid option displays a pattern of dots or lines on your drawing area that helps you align objects. Snap option forces your cursor to move in increments along the grid. ## Modifying Drawings After creating basic drawings with AutoCAD 2018, you may need to modify them to meet your design requirements. AutoCAD 2018 provides a variety of commands and tools that allow you to transform, modify and manipulate objects in your drawings. Some of the most common modify commands are: - Move: This command allows you to move objects from one location to another. You can specify the base point and the destination point of the movement, or use displacement values to indicate the direction and distance of the movement. - Copy: This command allows you to create copies of objects and place them in new locations. You can specify the base point and the destination point of the copying, or use multiple points to create arrays of copies. You can also use the Multiple option to repeat the copying process until you press Enter. - Rotate: This command allows you to rotate objects around a base point. You can specify the angle of rotation by entering a value or using two reference points. You can also use the Copy option to create copies of objects while rotating them. - Scale: This command allows you to change the size of objects by applying a scale factor. You can specify the base point and the scale factor by entering a value or using two reference points. You can also use the Copy option to create copies of objects while scaling them. - Trim: This command allows you to trim objects by cutting off unwanted portions that extend beyond other objects. You can select the cutting edges and then select the objects to trim, or use the Fence, Crossing or Project options to trim multiple objects at once. - Extend: This command allows you to extend objects by lengthening them to meet other objects. You can select the boundary edges and then select the objects to extend, or use the Fence, Crossing or Project options to extend multiple objects at once. - Fillet: This command allows you to create rounded corners by adding arcs between two lines or polylines. You can specify the radius of the fillet by entering a value or using two reference points. You can also use the Trim option to trim or extend the original objects to meet the fillet arc. - Chamfer: This command allows you to create beveled corners by adding lines between two lines or polylines. You can specify the distance or angle of the chamfer by entering values or using two reference points. You can also use the Trim option to trim or extend the original objects to meet the chamfer line. - Mirror: This command allows you to create mirror images of objects by reflecting them across a mirror line. You can specify the mirror line by selecting two points. You can also use the Copy option to retain or delete the original objects. - Array: This command allows you to create multiple copies of objects arranged in a rectangular, polar or path pattern. You can specify the number, spacing and angle of the copies, as well as edit their properties and positions using grips and contextual ribbon tabs. ## Adding Text and Dimensions After modifying drawings with AutoCAD 2018, you may need to add text and dimensions to annotate them and convey information. AutoCAD 2018 provides a variety of commands and tools that allow you to create and edit text and dimension objects in your drawings. Some of the most common text commands are: - Text: This command allows you to create single-line text objects that are aligned horizontally or at an angle. You can specify the text height, rotation angle, justification and style before entering the text content. You can also edit the text properties using grips and contextual ribbon tabs. - Mtext: This command allows you to create multi-line text objects that can contain paragraphs, bullets, numbering, symbols and formatting. You can specify the text height, width, style and attachment before entering the text content in a text editor window. You can also edit the text properties using grips and contextual ribbon tabs. - Ddedit: This command allows you to edit existing single-line or multi-line text objects by opening a text editor window. You can modify the text content, style and formatting using the text editor options. Some of the most common dimension commands are: - Dimstyle: This command allows you to create and modify dimension styles that control the appearance and behavior of dimension objects. You can specify various settings for dimension styles, such as text style, color, size, placement, alignment, format, units, precision, symbols, arrows, lines, gaps, etc. - Dimlinear: This command allows you to create linear dimensions that measure horizontal or vertical distances between two points. You can specify the dimension line location or use various options to align or rotate the dimension. - Dimangular: This command allows you to create angular dimensions that measure angles between two lines or three points. You can specify the dimension arc location or use various options to align or rotate the dimension. - Dimradius: This command allows you to create radial dimensions that measure radii of circles or arcs. You can specify the dimension leader location or use various options to align or rotate the dimension. - Dimedit: This command allows you to edit existing dimension objects by changing their text position, angle or value. You can also use grips and contextual ribbon tabs to edit dimension properties. ## Creating Layers and Blocks After adding text and dimensions with AutoCAD 2018, you may need to create layers and blocks to organize and reuse your drawing objects. AutoCAD 2018 provides a variety of commands and tools that allow you to create and manage layers and blocks in your drawings. Some of the most common layer commands are: - Layer: This command allows you to create and manage layers using a layer properties manager dialog box. You can create new layers, delete existing layers, rename layers, change layer properties, freeze or thaw layers, lock or unlock layers, etc. - Layerp: This command allows you to create and manage layers using a layer palette window. You can perform the same operations as with the layer command, but with a more graphical interface. - Layerstate: This command allows you to save and restore layer states that store the settings of all layers in your drawing. You can create new layer states, delete existing layer states, rename layer states, import or export layer states, etc. Some of the most common block commands are: ## Working with Layouts and Plotting After creating layers and blocks with AutoCAD 2018, you may need to work with layouts and plotting to prepare your drawings for printing or publishing. AutoCAD 2018 provides a variety of commands and tools that allow you to create and modify layouts and plot settings in your drawings. Some of the most common layout commands are: - Layout: This command allows you to create and manage layouts using a layout tab bar at the bottom of the application window. You can create new layouts, delete existing layouts, rename layouts, copy layouts, etc. - Page Setup Manager: This command allows you to create and modify page setups that control the plot settings for each layout. You can specify various settings for page setups, such as paper size, orientation, plot area, scale, plot style table, plot device, etc. - Mview: This command allows you to create and modify viewports in a layout. Viewports are windows that display views of your model space drawing in a layout. You can create multiple viewports, resize viewports, move viewports, lock viewports, etc. Some of the most common plot commands are: - Plot: This command allows you to plot a drawing or a layout to a printer, a plotter or a file. You can specify various settings for plotting, such as plot device, paper size, orientation, plot area, scale, plot style table, etc. - Preview: This command allows you to preview how your drawing or layout will look when plotted. You can zoom and pan in the preview window to check the details of your plot. - Publish: This command allows you to plot multiple drawings or layouts at once using a list of sheets. You can add or remove sheets from the list, reorder sheets, change page setups for sheets, etc. ## Conclusion In this tutorial, you have learned how to use AutoCAD 2018 to create 2D drawings using basic concepts and techniques. You have learned how to: - Use the AutoCAD user interface and customize it - Set up drawing limits and units - Control the display in drawings - Create basic drawings - Modify drawings - Add text and dimensions - Create layers and blocks - Work with layouts and plotting This tutorial has covered only some of the features and functions of AutoCAD 2018. There are many more tools and options that you can explore and use to enhance your drawings and designs. To learn more about AutoCAD 2018, you can: - Refer to the online help and documentation provided by Autodesk - Watch video tutorials and webinars on the Autodesk website or YouTube channel - Take online courses or attend training sessions offered by Autodesk or authorized partners - Join online forums and communities where you can ask questions and share tips with other users We hope that this tutorial has helped you get started with AutoCAD 2018 and that you enjoy using it for your projects. ## FAQs Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about AutoCAD 2018: Q: What are the benefits of AutoCAD certification? A: AutoCAD certification is a credential that validates your skills and knowledge of using AutoCAD software. It can help you stand out from other candidates in the job market, increase your confidence and credibility as a professional, and enhance your career opportunities and growth. Q: How can I practice the skills learned in this tutorial? A: You can practice the skills learned in this tutorial by applying them to your own drawings or by following other tutorials and exercises available on the Autodesk website or other sources. You can also use sample files provided by Autodesk or download files from online libraries. Q: What are some common errors and how can I fix them? A: Some common errors that you may encounter while using AutoCAD 2018 are: - Command not recognized: This may happen if you mistype a command name or alias at the command prompt. To fix this error, check your spelling and try again. You can also use the autocomplete feature or select commands from the ribbon or menus. - Invalid input: This may happen if you enter an invalid value or option for a command parameter. To fix this error, check your input and try again. You can also use the dynamic input feature or select values or options from dialog boxes or palettes. - check your selection method and try again. You can also use the selection cycling feature or select objects from the properties palette. - Object not visible: This may happen if an object is hidden or obscured by other objects or layers. To fix this error, check your layer settings and visibility options and try again. You can also use the isolate or hide objects feature or select objects from the quick select dialog box. Q: What are some advanced features of AutoCAD 2018 that are not covered in this tutorial? A: Some advanced features of AutoCAD 2018 that are not covered in this tutorial are: - 3D modeling and rendering: You can create and edi