You have learned how to provide coordinate input in AutoCAD, and using AutoCAD drafting tools. Let us do a little exercise before continue to the next topic. We are going to use some AutoCAD drawing tools and drafting tools.

Using the Metric Template

We are using metric template for this AutoCAD tutorial. If you haven’t set the default template to metric, create a new file from AutoCAD menu: new>drawing. Do not click the new file button on quick access toolbar! The button will use the default template and AutoCAD will not ask you which template you want to use. Select acadiso.dwt as template then click open.

Using Drawing Tools

You can access AutoCAD drawing tools on AutoCAD ribbon, home tab, draw panel.

Activate rectangle.

To Input Coordinate

Click anywhere on your screen. The active field should be X field.

• Type 50 to define 50 units to the right (the X positive). Press comma. This will lock the X value and move the active field to Y field.
• Type 150 then press enter. This will define the second point Y value 150 units up (Y positive).

You just define a rectangle by defining X and Y value.

Using Object Snap Tracking

Activate rectangle again

Hint: You can press [enter] to reactivate last tool

Move your pointer above the right-bottom corner of the previous rectangle. Wait for a moment and move your pointer to the right. You will see dashed line and the dynamic input mentioning ‘extension: DISTANCE<ANGLE’. Move your pointer horizontally, sticky to the X axis. Type 700 then press [enter].

Type 50,150 [enter] to define the next point.

You’ve just created another rectangle by defining the distance from another object.

Using Object Snap

Activate rectangle again. This time snap the first point to the top right corner. Click to define the first point.

Type 30,700 [enter] to define your rectangle.

Creating Arc

AutoCAD has many method to draw an arc, depends on what points do you have as references.

This time click the 3-point method. Pay attention to what AutoCAD is asking you. Specify start point of arc or ↓

The down arrow is showing that there are options related to this tool. Press down arrow. There is one option for this tool: Center. Select it.

Now AutoCAD is asking for center point. Click point 1 as the center point. Point 2 as start point, and point 3 as the end point. If you draw arc using start-end point, then AutoCAD will draw it counter-clock wise.

Hint: You can use command line to change option. Type the capital letter to choose available option then [enter]. If there are more than 1 character in capital letter, type all of the capital letters.

Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:

Nothing hard right? :) When you draw with AutoCAD drawing tools, you will only need to change options if necessary, then define the points. Look for some drawing samples and try to draw it. You may submit your inquiry here, probably I can help.

Next, we will learn to use modify tools.

I had a very interesting Revit family sample last week. It is a furniture family, but we can place it just like placing walls: we define first and last point, not by the furniture location. It is not possible to create such a family type using the furniture template. We need to create it using Metric Generic Model line based.rft.

Let us create a new Revit family using that template.

Creating Line Based Family

This family has a predefined parameter: Length. It also has two vertical work plane: Left and Right. The work planes intersection points with the center (front/back) work plane are the points you need to define when placing it within a project.

Let us try it. Open right elevation view. Create a profile like below. You don’t need to create the exactly the same profile. Just make it 500mm wide, and create 2nd profile 760mm above the level plane.

Click extrusion properties on your Revit ribbon, contextual tab. Find extrusion end parameter, and click the small button next to the value.

Find Length parameter, select it and click OK. Click finish extrusion.

We have done! Save this Revit family as ‘base cabinet’. Load it to a project and try to place it.

Hint: If you don’t have floor (or other faces) then you need to change the placement reference to ‘Place on Work Plane’.

Just like placing walls isn’t it?

Using Nested Family

That was fun, but we can do more. We want to fill the gap between base and top panel with typical cabinet units.

Download this file, load this typical unit to base cabinet family.

You should see it in 3D like this.

This is a Revit family inside a Revit family definition… or nested family.

Using Array and Formula in Parameters

Creating Array

The next thing we need to do is to multiply the typical unit to match the cabinet length. Open the floor plan view.

Select the typical unit family, and click array on your Revit ribbon.

Place the array like below. After you place it, select the array number.

Creating Number of Array Parameter

In option bar, click the drop down label selection.

Select <Add Parameter…>.

In opened dialog box, type the parameter name, and change the parameter type to instance.

Click OK.

Creating Formula for Array Parameter

Now we need to create a formula, so the number of array will adjust to the cabinet length. Click types from Revit Ribbon.

In the family types dialog, find the parameter we created before. In formula field, type Length/600. Remember, formula in Revit is case sensitive!

Click OK. Try to reload this family to your project. And try to place it again. Now the number of typical unit will adjust to the cabinet length.

Limitation

This may looks fun and very easy to use. However, there are some limitation to consider:

1. I would not recommend you to use this trick if you need to report the family in your schedule. Revit will only recognize the furniture family and types, but it will not report the length or number of typical units in your cabinet. So if you want to report the family in a schedule, use furniture template and define the family types. Use this trick if the family is only for visualization purpose!
2. You need to know the typical unit size so you can precisely define the cabinet length. It will not cause error in Revit, but you will see the base and top panel too long or too short if you don’t define its length correctly. Use incremental value 600 for this sample.

CAD Notes have been running since June 2009. I know it’s relatively new. There are some major changes to our system has been made. So I would like to take this opportunity to introduce what you can get in this site. Probably new visitors will like to know too.

Applications Covered

Currently CAD Notes covers AutoCAD, MicroStation, and Revit Architecture. I will probably add more applications, but obviously not soon. I can use Inventor quite well, but since I don’t have manufacturing background, I’m not confident to cover that area. Not yet.

I’m trying to have an editorial schedule for each, but it looks I’m not too successful with it. I’m trying to update at least 3 posts a week, each post for each application. However, if I have many inquiries (and free time) I will try to post more.

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I hope you enjoy your visit and comeback for more :)

Last Monday, CAD Notes has launched a competition. We asked you to submit your AutoCAD tips, and you will have a chance to win Batik paintings and shirts. Not many people has submitted their tips. Probably Batik is not interesting for CAD geeks :)

Additional Prizes

So I decided to change the prizes, and add our own product: CAD Notes e-book.

So the 5 winners will get:

1. 3 winners will get Batik paintings + shirt + Revit Architecture 2010 e-book + AutoCAD Block Best Practices e-book.
2. 2 Winners will get Revit Architecture 2010 e-book OR AutoCAD Block Best Practices e-book (You may choose one of them).

Extended Submission Period

By adding the prizes, we also give extra time for the contestant to submit their tips by 7 days. The contest will be closed on Monday March 15th, 2010. Like the earlier announcement, it will be closed at 12 PM Jakarta time.

Submission Language

I get some input from some friends that the language might be also make people reluctant to join the contest. Reading content in English is one thing, but writing in English is totally different thing. Honestly my grammar is not that good, you may find many mistakes in this site :D So I understand this can be a problem.

So you can submit your tips in language you are comfortable with. But you MUST to mention what language you are using. We can translate your tips using Google language, but we need to know your language.

I hope this will interest you more to join the contest. The tips submission page is still on the original page. Don’t submit your tips here.