New to Autocad and would like to draw a dotted line.

[Cydog]

I am new to Autocad and I want to learn as much as I can. I am working on a drawing of a wheel and a 40mm pin that is inside of some boxtubing. I would like

to draw a dotted line to show the pin inside the boxtubing. I click properties and I only get the choices of layer , block and continious . I have Autocad Lite 2005.

 

Also, I love the dimension tool , but how do I know how wide or long I am making it until I do my dimension , and then it is too short or too long. It don't seem like there is a way to edit it. I know it is.

 

Sorry for the stupid questions.

 

Thanks so much in advance

[MSasu]

You can check this tutorial on linetype usage.

[Cydog]

I am new to AutoCad , and I am making a drawing of a wheel , boxtubing , and a 40 mm pin. I would like to draw a dotted line showing the pin inside the boxtubing. I click properties and the only choices I have are by layer, by block , and continuous.

Any ideas ?

 

Also , when drawing , how do I know what size I am drawing it , while I am drawing it, instead of doing the dimension and realizing that it is too big or too small ? I know there is a way .

 

Thanks so much in advance.

[MSasu]

Also, I love the dimension tool , but how do I know how wide or long I am making it until I do my dimension , and then it is too short or too long. It don't seem like there is a way to edit it. I know it is.

Not sure that understand you correctly - are you used previously a parameterized CAD where you made the sketch and constrained it later by dimensions? In AutoCAD you should always draw at 1:1 scale. Use DIST command to check.

[the ber]

When you start your very first drawing, the only linetype available is continuous. You have to load the other linetypes that you might need, like dashed, dash-dot, etc. I can't give you the exact commands because my CAD version is German, and not on this computer. Look in the help, or in the tutorials on this site.

For basic drawing fundamentals you can use this tutorial:

http://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/autocad/drawing-objects.php

[MSasu]

I can't give you the exact commands because my CAD version is German

You can get the English name of a command by GETCNAME function:

(getcname NameOfCommand)

[Cydog]

Sorry about the double post. Thanks , I found out how to load the line types. I should of phrased my second question better. When drawing a rectangle , should I be able to see

the dimensions of the rectangle while I am drawing it ? Let's say I want to draw a line , 5 1/2 " long . I draw it , and I say it is long enough. I then do the dimension and it says 6 1/4".

Can I change the dimension , or does it sounds like I certainly do not have something setup right.

 

Thanks again,

[MSasu]

You should never gues if the line is long enough or not. Please check the tutorial suggested by the ber and also this and this regarding cordinates and distances input.

[MSasu]

As example, to draw a rectangle of 5 1/2 x 4 1/4:

 

Command: RECTANGLE

Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: 0,0

Specify other corner point or [Dimensions]: @5-1/2,4-1/4

 

Command: RECTANGLE

Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]:

Specify other corner point or [Dimensions]: @5.5,4.25

[ReMark]

You need to be drawing all model space objects at FULL size. It doesn't matter if the object is the size of a postage stamp or an ocean liner. You do NOT draw to scale as one might do in manual drafting.

 

Did you know you can draw a rectangle using the RECTANGLE command? Did you also know there is an option for inputting the dimensions of the rectangle right at the command line?

[Tiger]

was Dynamic Input there in 2005?

[Dana W]

was Dynamic Input there in 2005?

 

I thought that was new in 2007, but it does have the tool tips option, and tracking which will help.

 

:?I am wondering how you get to be NEW to AutoCAD 2005 in 2012. Are you merely trying to learn AutoCad, or working for someone with hopelessly out of date software like mine.

 

If you are trying to learn AutroCad, download a free trial version of the new stuff from AutoDesk.

[sunji_lacsi]

Command: rec

RECTANG

Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: (click in the drawing space or snap to and object where you want ot position your rectangle)

Specify other corner point or [Area/Dimensions/Rotation]: d

Specify length for rectangles : (enter your desired dimension and hit space) ex: 5.5

Specify width for rectangles : (enter your desired dimension and hit space) ex: 10

 

 

This example is regardless of the units you are using (english or metric)... to change the unit, type units (hit space/enter) change the units to scale inserted content to your choice...