2011

Table Of Contents
Quick Reference
Commands
NEW
Creates a new drawing.
OPTIONS
Customizes the program settings.
SAVEAS
Saves a copy of the current drawing under a new file name.
System Variables
MEASUREMENT
Controls whether the current drawing uses imperial or metric hatch pattern
and linetype files.
Specify Units and Unit Formats
Before you start to draw, you decide on the units of measurement to be used
in the drawing, and set the format, precision, and other conventions to be
used in coordinates and distances.
Determine the Units of Measurement
Before you start to draw, you must decide what one drawing unit represents
based on what you plan to draw. You can convert a drawing between systems
of measurement by scaling it.
Every object you create is measured in drawing units. Before you start to draw,
you must decide what one drawing unit will represent based on what you
plan to draw. Then you create your drawing at actual size with that convention.
For example, the objects in the illustration might represent two buildings that
are each 125 feet long, or a section of a mechanical part that is measured in
millimeters.
54 | Chapter 7 Start a Drawing