Quick Questions

[Merk1b2]

Hi! I just recently downloaded AutoCAD (as well as other programs) from Autodesk's

Student Program.

 

Being told that I would learn AutoCAD in the next few years, I took the incentive to learn it early. Being fairly familiar with 2D geometric applications such as GeoGebra and Geometries Sketchpad, I hoped that I could translate some know-how from that over to AutoCAD.

 

A few questions have arisen since then:

 

1. Does AutoCAD have a feature where when you move/rotate/scale a figure or object, it saves the original figure and creates a copy that is edited?

 

2. Can AutoCAD be used as a replacement for applications such as GeoGebra and Geometries Sketchpad? I like the support of AutoCAD files in Google SketchUp as it makes the creation of correct 3D models accurate and quick.

 

3. Which version of AutoCAD is best? When looking in the download center, I am offered numerous variations of AutoCAD, as well as "Rivet 3D". How are these different?

 

4. Is there a way to translate a object a certain object in a certain angle? For example, translating a diagonal line such that the distance between the line and the image is 1 foot?

 

 

5. I noticed that AutoCAD has a 3D system as well. Is this system better than SketchUp's? Or should I stick with SketchUp?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Jack_O'neill]

Hi! I just recently downloaded AutoCAD (as well as other programs) from Autodesk's

Student Program.

 

Being told that I would learn AutoCAD in the next few years, I took the incentive to learn it early. Being fairly familiar with 2D geometric applications such as GeoGebra and Geometries Sketchpad, I hoped that I could translate some know-how from that over to AutoCAD.

 

A few questions have arisen since then:

 

1. Does AutoCAD have a feature where when you move/rotate/scale a figure or object, it saves the original figure and creates a copy that is edited?

 

2. Can AutoCAD be used as a replacement for applications such as GeoGebra and Geometries Sketchpad? I like the support of AutoCAD files in Google SketchUp as it makes the creation of correct 3D models accurate and quick.

 

3. Which version of AutoCAD is best? When looking in the download center, I am offered numerous variations of AutoCAD, as well as "Rivet 3D". How are these different?

 

4. Is there a way to translate a object a certain object in a certain angle? For example, translating a diagonal line such that the distance between the line and the image is 1 foot?

 

[ATTACH]27604[/ATTACH]

 

5. I noticed that AutoCAD has a 3D system as well. Is this system better than SketchUp's? Or should I stick with SketchUp?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

1...there are a number of ways to do those things, but the simplest way would be to simply copy the objects, then edit as required.

 

2...Can't answer this one, not familiar at all with the 2 programs you mentioned.

 

3...This is a loaded question, as the variations of autocad are targeted at specific trades. For instance, Autocad Architectural is aimed at drawing buildings, Autocad Mechanical will be optimized for drawing tooling and machine parts and such. Revit is not really Autocad, though it will import and export Autocad files. There are several variations of it as well, all aimed at various specialities in construction.

 

4...If I understand your question, try the "offset" command.

 

5...This question is very subjective too. I use Autocad to create 3d stuff all the time and much prefer it to Sketchup, mainly because I'm much more familiar with it. I struggle with Sketchup because I catch myself expecting it to behave the way Autocad does and it doesn't. There is a world of difference in how they work and what they will do. Both have there strengths and weaknesses.

[tzframpton]

3...This is a loaded question' date=' as the variations of autocad are targeted at specific trades. For instance, Autocad Architectural is aimed at drawing buildings, Autocad Mechanical will be optimized for drawing tooling and machine parts and such. Revit is not really Autocad, though it will import and export Autocad files. There are several variations of it as well, all aimed at various specialities in construction.[/quote']

To extend on this accurate statement, I would suggest plain AutoCAD for learning right now. Once the basics are learned through your educational program, it would then be a wise move to start venturing in the other versions of AutoCAD as well as the other CAD applications but not until the general grasp is learned. Just my $0.02 is all, technically you can dive into any version of AutoCAD or other CAD app that you want.

[qball]

1. A good thing to do, especially when learning for the first time, is always check your options on the command line. In this case when you Scale there is an option for Copy, likewise with Rotate.

I didn't pay too much attention when I was learning (apparently) because 14 years later I still find options down there that I didn't know about. Oh and Move - Copy is just Copy command. You can also click object(s) and drag them to move them inaccurately. Ctrl Click and Drag is Copy.

 

Specify scale factor or [[b]Copy[/b]/Reference]: