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

Creating linear dimensions


Normally, a dimension is composed by a dimension line, a text or value, two extension lines, and two arrows. The most common dimensions are linear, presented next.

Note

When creating the first dimension in a drawing, a layer called Defpoints is added to the drawing. This layer stores the points that define dimensions and can not be purged, even if it is empty. However it can be renamed.

Dimensions are placed in the current dimension style. The dimension style controls all geometric and unit's parameters. The PROPERTIES palette can be used to apply other dimension style to selected dimensions.

The LINEARDIMENSION command (alias DLI, on the Dimension toolbar, or Dimension | Linear main menu) creates horizontal and vertical dimensions.

By default, the command prompts for the first and second points that define what we want to dimension and a third point that specifies the dimension line location. The measured value is written on the command line:

: LINEARDIMENSION
Default...