Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 3.23
The completed
bathroom sink
Using the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting Tools
Before you finish this chapter, you'll want to know about a few of the other drafting tools that
are common to drawing programs. These tools may be compared to a background grid (
Grid
mode
) and the ability to “snap” to grid points (
Snap modes
). These drawing modes can be indis-
pensable tools under certain conditions. Their use is fairly straightforward. You can experiment
with them on your own using the information in the following sections.
Using Grid Mode as a Background Grid
Using Grid mode is like having a grid under your drawing to help you with layout, as shown
in Figure 3.24. In this igure, the grids are set to a 1´ spacing with major grid lines at 5´. The grid
also shows, in darker lines, the X and Y axes that start at the origin of the drawing.
Grids will not print in your final output. They are a visual aid to help you gauge distances.
In AutoCAD, Grid mode can also let you see the limits of your drawing because the grid can
be set to display only within the limits setting of your drawing. Grid mode can help you visu-
ally determine the distances with which you're working in any given view. In this section,
you'll learn how to control the grid's appearance. You can also click the Grid Display tool in
the status bar.
