Chapter 2 Introducing Drawing
An AutoCAD Drawing
An AutoCAD drawing is a database file containing graphical and non-
graphical data. The file must have the extension .dwg. To be able to draw
anything in AutoCAD, you must have an open drawing. Multiple drawings
can be opened at the same time and you can switch between them, as
required. Only one drawing can be current at a time. The current drawing is
the drawing currently being affected by the commands you are entering. It
is also called the active drawing.
Drawing Templates
A drawing template is a drawing file that may contain layouts, defaults,
blocks, and standards set by the creator of the template. A template file
must be used to start every new drawing. A template drawing is simply an
AutoCAD drawing saved as a template file and must have the
extension .dwt. Creating template files is taught in the AutoCAD 2D
Advanced book.
Drawing Templates for the AutoCAD 2D book
There are four drawing template files that are an important part of the
AutoCAD 2D book. One of these templates must be used to start all new
drawings for all workalongs and lab exercise throughout the book. These
templates are supplied to each user of the AutoCAD 2D book and should
be saved in the Templates folder as shown in Figure 2-1.
AutoCAD File Extensions
AutoCAD uses many different file extension names. The file extensions used in the AutoCAD
2D book are .dwg, .dwt, and .bak. See Figure 2-2. Many other AutoCAD file extensions are
taught in the AutoCAD 2D Advanced book.
AutoCAD creates a .bak file when a previously saved drawing is saved. When the current
drawing is saved, AutoCAD changes the extension of the existing drawing from .dwg to .bak and
then creates a new file with the extension .dwg. If a drawing file ever gets lost or corrupted, the
extension name of the .bak file can be changed to .dwg and opened in AutoCAD.
Figure 2-2 AutoCAD File Extension
Names
The Drawing Name
Each drawing should be assigned a unique name. It is important for you to name a new drawing
as soon as possible after you start it. Getting into a habit of doing this will save you many hours
of searching the disk drive looking for existing drawings or redrawing lost drawings.
AutoCAD Command: NEW
The NEW command is used to start a new drawing. Shortcut: CNTL+N
AutoCAD Command: QSAVE
The QSAVE command is used to save the current drawing. Shortcut: CTRL+S
MUST KNOW: When you save a drawing for the first time, AutoCAD adds
the extension .dwg to the drawing’s name. When you save a drawing that
was previously saved, AutoCAD changes the extension of the existing
drawing file to .bak and creates a new drawing file with the extension .dwg.
If a drawing file ever gets lost or corrupted, the extension name of the .bak
file can be changed to .dwg and opened in AutoCAD.
Who Should Use AutoCAD Drawing Tools?
AutoCAD drawing tools are very helpful to design anything you want. They help
in major operations such as documentation, sketches, and many more. Because of
its usefulness, it can be used by:
Architects
Exterior designers
Game designers
Product designers
Industrial designers
Interior designers
Engineers
City planners
Graphic designers
Animation illustrators
Drafters
Fashion designers
Manufacturers
There are many tools to assist a user with their drawings. Some of the
AutoCAD drawing tools are mentioned below-
1. Line
To put in use the Line tool, all you have to do is choose Line tool from the
Draw panel or by entering Line or L in the Command Prompt. In order to
terminate the Line tool, you will simply have to select ESC or SPACEBAR.
Begin by mentioning the starting point from where you want the line to be
drawn and then end it at the second point which will help complete the line.
2. Circle
With the help of the Circle command, you can draw a circle. In order to
draw the circle, you will have to make use of six different tools which will
specify the following:
Center and the radius
Center and the diameter
Specifying two diametrical ends
Putting in three points on a circle
Putting in the tangent to two objects
Mentioning the tangent to three objects
3. Rectangle
In order to draw a rectangle, you will be required to specify the two
opposite corners of it and also mention the area and size of one of the
sides of the rectangle, and mention the other dimensions.
4. Polyline
The meaning of polyline is many lines. Drawing this will be made possible
by simply selecting the PLINE command and then specifying the start and
the end point of the lines.
Create 2D Basic [Link]