DISCUSSION

From this experiment of Electrical Plan Drawing Using AutoCAD, we already learn how
to use this software. AutoCAD is a computer-aided drafting software program that enables the
user to create precise 2- and 3-dimensional drawings used in construction and manufacturing.
This software is being used on large scale basis by a number of engineering professionals and
firms for various applications. The most common application of this software is designing and
drafting. So that, through this software we can create scaled drawings that are used to
manufacture equipment, plan infrastructure projects, design electrical circuitry, and build homes
and commercial structures.
Before use AutoCAD software, we need to know how to drawing commands, editing
commands and dimension command in the development of an engineering drawing correctly.
Not only that, we also need to understand how to use the precision drafting tools, layer functions,
text function, block functions, plot functions, title block, template and layout views in the
development of an engineering drawing. With this knowledge, we can develop an electrical
layout drawing easily.
There is several steps basic command in AutoCAD software which are:
1. Opening the AutoCAD software

Select 'Create Drawings'

AutoCAD will now create a new drawing file named drawing1.dwg.

AutoCAD will default to 'model space'.

2. Toolbars
There are many toolbars available in AutoCAD. Go to View > Toolbars from the drop
down menu to see them all. The toolbars icon consists of:

Draw

- Contains AutoCAD most common drawing tools

Modify

- Contains all of the common editing commands

such as erase, copy etc.

Object Properties

- Contains 'layer' information

Standard Toolbar

- Contains open & save options as well as zoom

& pan options.

Object Snap

- AutoCAD's intelligent drawing aid - joins lines at

specific points.

3. The Command Line

The command line appears at the bottom of the AutoCAD screen and displays the
commands entered. Commands can be entered into the command line in text format, or
by using the icons or drop down menu.

4. Drawing Technique
AutoCAD works on a co-ordinate system. When drawing, we can be very precise and
specify an exact point in space where a line should begin or end. The 2D co-ordinates
system is based on the horizontal and vertical axis named x and y.
Drawing - Line Command
-Select the line command from the draw menu
-Specify a start point and end
Drawing - Line Command - Specifying Points
-Erase command from the menu or from the 'modify' drop down menu.
-Select the line command
Drawing - Rectangle Command
-Choose the rectangle command or select it from the draw drop down menu.

Before start drawing object, we need to know how all of the AutoCAD Draw commands
work. A good understanding of the Draw commands is fundamental to the efficient use of
AutoCAD. The Draw commands can be used to create new objects such as lines and circles.
Most AutoCAD drawings are composed purely and simply from these basic components. In
common with most AutoCAD commands, the Draw commands can be started in a number of
ways. Command names or short-cuts can be entered at the keyboard. Commands can be started
from the Draw pull-down menu, shown on the right or from the Draw toolbar.
This section cover the most frequently used Draw commands such as Line, Polyline and
Circle as well as the more advanced commands like Multiline and Multiline Style.
1. Line
Lines are probably the most simple of AutoCAD objects. Using the Line command, a line can be
drawn between any two points picked within the drawing area. Lines are usually the first objects
that want to draw when starting a new drawing because they can be used as "construction lines"
upon which the rest of our drawing will be based.
Line command
-Can draw a simple line from one point to another. Line objects have two ends (the first
point and the last point). Each line segment drawn is a separate object and can be moved
or erased as required. To end this command, just hit the key on the keyboard
Construction Line command
-Creates a line of infinite length which passes through two picked points. Construction
lines are very useful for creating construction frameworks or grids within which to
design.
-Construction lines are not normally used as objects in finished drawings, it is usual.
Ray command
-Creates a line similar to a construction line except that it extends infinitely in only one
direction from the first pick point. The direction of the Ray is determined by the position
of the second pick point.

2. Polyline Family
Polyline is different from lines because they are more complex objects. A single polyline
can be composed of a number of straight-line or arc segments. Polyline can also be given
line widths to make them appear solid. The Polyline or Pline command is similar to the
line command except that the resulting object may be composed of a number of segments
which form a single object. In addition to the two ends a polyline, must
have vertices (singular vertex) where intermediate line segments join.

Rectangle Command

The Rectangle command is used to draw a rectangle whose sides are vertical and
horizontal. The position and size of the rectangle are defined by picking two diagonal
corners. The Rectangle command also has a number of options. The Chamfer and Fillet
options have the same effect as the Chamfer and Fillet command.

Polygon Command
The Polygon command can be used to draw any regular polygon from 3 sides up to 1024
sides. This command requires four inputs from the user, the number of sides, a pick point
for the centre of the polygon and polygon inscribed or circumscribed and then a pick
point which determines both the radius of this imaginary circle and the orientation of the
polygon. The polygon command creates a closed polyline in the shape of the required
polygon.

3. Circles, Arcs
The Circle command is probably one of the most frequently used.
Circle Command

The Circle command is used to draw circles. The method is to pick the centre point and
then to either pick a second point on the circumference of the circle or enter the circle
radius at the keyboard.
Arc command

The Arc command allows drawing an arc of a circle. The method to draw arc are uses
three pick points, a start point, a second point and an end point. Using this method, the
drawn arc will start at the first pick point, pass through the second point and end at the
third point.
Ellipse Command

The Ellipse command gives a number of different creation options. The default option is
to pick the two end points of an axis and then a third point to define the eccentricity of
the ellipse.

4. Multi lines
Multi lines are complex lines that consist of between 1 and 16 parallel lines, known
as elements. The default multiline style has just two elements but we can create
additional styles of an almost endless variety.
Multiline Style command
The Multiline Style command is enables to create new multiline styles by adding line
elements, changing the colour and line type of elements, adding end caps and the option
of displaying as a solid colour.

QUESTION

1. Explain the use of legend in the electrical layout drawing.

An electrical legend diagram is a small boxed in area on a blueprint, that explains what
the symbols mean, that are shown on the print.

2. What are the advantages of using AutoCAD software in making the layout of the building
wiring accessories?

1) Increase in the productivity of the designer

With this software, it helps the designer in visualizing the final product that is to be made,
helping the designer to immediately make the modifications if required, synthesizing,
analyzing, and documenting the design. All these factors help in drastically improving the
productivity of the designer that translates into fast designing, lower designing cost and
shorter project completion times.

2) Improve the quality of the design

This software offer greater accuracy, the errors are reduced drastically in the designed
product leading to better design. Better design helps carrying out manufacturing faster
and reducing the wastages that could have occurred because of the faulty design
.
3) Better communication
-The AutoCAD software helps in better documentation of the design, fewer drawing
errors, and greater legibility.

4) Creating documentation of the designing

-Creating the documentation of designing is one of the most important parts of designing
and this can be made very conveniently by the CAD software. The documentation of
designing includes geometries and dimensions of the product, its subassemblies and its
components, material specifications for the components, bill of materials for the
components and more.

5) Creating the database for manufacturing:

-When the creating the data for the documentation of the designing most of the data for
manufacturing is also created like products and component drawings, material required
for the components, their dimensions, shape and more.

6) Saving of design data and drawings

-All the data used for designing can easily be saved and used for the future reference.
Similarly, the drawings can also be saved and any number of copies can be printed
whenever required. Some of the component drawings can be standardized and be used
whenever required in any future drawings.