Chapter 4 CAD Commands and Functions 123
Chapter Summary
Computer-aided drafting and design (CAD)
is a powerful tool, but as with any tool, you have
to know how to use it. Commands are the inter-
actions you provide to CAD software to achieve
end results. Commands are usually grouped
according to function, such as file management, fi
drawing, editing, inquiry, display control, and
dimensioning.
Commands may be entered in several ways.
In many cases, commands may be selected from
pull-down menus. Many CAD programs also
have toolbars that contain buttons for activating
commands. In addition, some CAD programs
have a command line. This is where a command
can be typed to activate it.
Drawing commands form the foundation of
any CAD program. These commands allow you
to actually create objects on screen.
Editing and inquiry commands allow you
to modify drawings, list the database records for
Figure 4-24. Good planning and a lot of time were required
to create this rendered model. (Bucyrus International)
Figure 4-25. An animation is really a series of images played together at a fast rate. The slight differences between
each image are interpreted by the brain as motion. There is not much difference between “neighboring” frames.
However, over the length of the animation, you can see that the window is opening and closing. (Eric K. Augspurger)