harry_anjh Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 I am new to the AutoCAD and need your help in learning in detail about co-ordinate system. I can't determine from where to start the new drawing (both on model space or paper space). Exactly where I have put the objects on the co-ordinate system. Is there any easiest method of using the co-ordinate system? Quote
ReMark Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 What are you drawing that you are using a coordinate system? Quote
harry_anjh Posted March 23, 2011 Author Posted March 23, 2011 Please bear with me. I have never used AutoCAD in my life, however I have learned many things (I think so) in AutoCAD through online tutorials. Basically, I want to draw structural steel drawings however I dont know how to start with it. Quote
ReMark Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 When you asked about coordinates I thought you were doing civil/surveying type drawings where coordinates are commonly used. Although I have done structural steel drawings I cannot recall a time that I ever used coordinates. Are you creating a 2D or 3D drawing? Remember: the cardinal rule for AutoCAD is that one draws all their objects in model space at FULL size. It doesn't matter if that object is a spoon or a Boeing 777 Dreamliner. Do you understand? Paper space layouts are usually reserved for one's title block and border. Viewports are used in layouts to see the objects we have created back in model space. Think of viewports as windows. It is the viewport a scale is assigned to. Quote
Organic Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 It should ideally be located to scale (1:1 in modelspace, i.e. if an I beam is 0.5m wide, draw it 0.5m wide in AutoCad) at the real world coordinates of the structure (trust me, this makes life much easier for you and everyone else). Are you trying to draw steel sections in 2D or 3D? Quote
ReMark Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Could you also tell us if you are working in Imperial or Metric units? Thanks. Quote
SLW210 Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 You can start with this http://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/autocad/using-coordinates.php . You need to go to the CADTutor home page and work through the rest of the tutorials as well. Quote
harry_anjh Posted March 23, 2011 Author Posted March 23, 2011 Thanks for your prompt responses. I am creating 2D drawing at scale of 1:100 in Metric. Quote
ReMark Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Metric. OK. Then you have started off by using one of the AutoCAD metric templates right? What specs for your structural steel will you be following? European? Japanese? Australian? Other? Quote
Organic Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 What is it you are trying to draw exactly, or what is it you are having trouble with and want to know how to do? Quote
harry_anjh Posted March 23, 2011 Author Posted March 23, 2011 Metric. OK. Then you have started off by using one of the AutoCAD metric templates right? What specs for your structural steel will you be following? European? Japanese? Australian? Other? Yes, I have started off by using the default template available which is autocad metric. I will be following European specs for structural steel drawing. Quote
ReMark Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 That is all very good information. Now that we are all on the same page what is it that you want to draw first? Be as descriptive as possible. It will help avoid a lot of back-and-forth questions/answers. Thanks. Quote
harry_anjh Posted March 23, 2011 Author Posted March 23, 2011 To be honest, I want to create structural steel drawing which will be required for construction market. That drawing will include slabs, decking, beams, columns etc. I know this is not a easy task to accomplish however I want to know some tips from you guys how you did this at your initial stage. Do I know need to get a further training in AutoCAD or how would this be possible? Quote
Organic Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Do you have existing detail drawings to work off of/get an idea of what you are trying to do, or do you know what you want to do and just need to know how to do it in AutoCad?: Quote
harry_anjh Posted March 23, 2011 Author Posted March 23, 2011 I have the existing drawing but I can't upload it online as it is a copyrighted drawing. Could you please guide me how to draw it in AutoCAD if I have a drawing in pdf format? Quote
Organic Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 All you have is a PDF. You will need to trace it in AutoCad. You cannot convert a PDF to linework with any level of success. Insert -> OLE Object - > PDF (or something to that nature) Then scale the inserted PDF using a dimension on the pdf and start drawing/tracing the linework over the top of it. Quote
rkent Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 I am new to the AutoCAD and need your help in learning in detail about co-ordinate system. I can't determine from where to start the new drawing (both on model space or paper space). Exactly where I have put the objects on the co-ordinate system. Is there any easiest method of using the co-ordinate system? The general rule of thumb for where to draw in the cartesean coordinate system is to draw in the positive coordinates. So generally speaking you could start your work at 100,100 making that the lower left of what ever you are drawing. If is something that will be used to insert into other drawings then you may want to use 0,0 as the lower left or the center of the model. The thousands of drawings that I maintain here were started in the negative coordinates by others and I have left them there. 13 years and I haven't been aware of any problems working that way so I haven't changed them. Quote
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