Book Image

Getting Started with DraftSight

By : JOAO ANTONIO C DOS SANTOS
Book Image

Getting Started with DraftSight

By: JOAO ANTONIO C DOS SANTOS

Overview of this book

Computer-aided design (CAD) uses computer systems to assist in the creation, modification, and analysis of a design. DraftSight is a 2D computer-aided design (CAD) software application. DraftSight includes all the main tools to draft with precision, and it works with DWG files, the most popular CAD file type. It runs on a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Getting Started with DraftSight addresses all the main phases for executing and printing a mechanical project. These concepts and commands can easily be applied to other areas. Beginning with the very basic concepts, and going through all the necessary drawing steps, you will finish by printing a full scale mechanical drawing. The illustrative examples will help you understand the design process and teach you how to utilize DraftSight features in your mechanical design projects. You will start with an overview of the mechanical design process, which will help you understand the different commands, tools, and tasks involved in DraftSight projects. You will then proceed to executing all the phases of the design process. This includes setting up a drawing, drawing and editing with precision, organizing with layers, and finally obtaining valid information from the drawing. Furthermore, you will also learn to apply fills, patterns, and dimensions, and the process of defining and printing sheets. With "GettingStarted with DraftSight" you will learn how to specify and document parts and print drawings with the help of DraftSight. Towards the end of this book you will be introduced to some advanced concepts like additional layer commands, and methods to reference other drawings or images, which can be very useful when dealing with complex projects.
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
Getting Started with DraftSight
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Advanced layer commands


Real projects usually include a large amount of layers. Managing these layers can be quite time consuming. DraftSight includes the following commands; most of them allow managing layers by entities selection.

  • The HIDELAYERcommand (no alias, on the Layer Tools toolbar, or Format | Layer Tools | Hide Layer main menu) allows turning layers off by selecting entities that belong to those layers.
  • The SHOWLAYERScommand (no alias, on the Layer Tools toolbar, or Format | Layer Tools | Show All Layers main menu) turns on all layers. Only frozen layers remain invisible.
  • The FREEZELAYERcommand (no alias, on the Layer Tools toolbar, or Format | Layer Tools | Freeze Layer main menu) allows the user to freeze layers by selecting entities that belong to those layers. The current layer cannot be frozen.
  • The THAWLAYERScommand (no alias on the Layer Tools toolbar, or Format | Layer Tools | Thaw All Layers main menu) thaws all layers.
  • The LOCKLAYERcommand (no alias, on the Layer...