CAD Primer - when just learning

If you are just starting to use CAD, or if you don't feel comfortable using CAD, then spend time familiarizing yourself with the CADD Primer available with your software or on the Internet. The CADD Primer explains the basics of drawing in CAD.

CADD Primer is a beginner's reference book on CAD and CADD and it describes what CADD is as well as what it can do for you. It also shows you how to best use CAD. In addition, CAD Primer will also introduces to you hundreds of commonly used terms. By using several exercises, the primer will illustrate the concepts of working with CADD. The primer will also introduce several advanced techniques and shortcut methods that many professionals use. You will also find a comprehensive listing of leading CADD programs and important CADD resources on the Internet.

The CADD Primer does not probe into the functions or features of CAD, instead it teaches the user how to manipulate the computer to draw the basics in ellipses, circles, arcs, and other two-dimensional figures. The ability to control shape and manipulate space the base knowledge of any design instrument. Another thing important fact that must be learned is how to superimpose text onto the CAD drawings.

It is important to realize that CAD drawings closely resemble hand drawn images and that the smooth renditions of the images are made possible by thousands of dots per grid. The image produced is then stored as a vector image, which stores other information including style, thickness, and color per dot of the image.

The first time you use CAD, it may seem awkward as it is not like the usual pen and paper many are so familiar. When using CAD, as a rule you start by drawing a line across the canvas and then later on, modify it. Once you use CAD, you will start to think in terms of vector capability and layering. Layers are sheets, which represent how the final drawing will look in CAD. When editing, you edit one layer at a time, leaving the other layers untouched.

Once you have learn more shortcuts, tricks, and feel more comfortable using CAD, your CAD drawing may be further enhanced.

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