Hi,Havent used cad for a few years so could someone please jog my memory with  regards to the following... 1) Basic set up before I start drawing. 2) Do I save individual layers seperate and saving in general. I am wanting to draw basic house extension plans with autocad architectue Any advice greatly appreciated Mark... 

[QUOTE=manich44]

Hi,Havent used cad for a few years so could someone please jog my memory with  regards to the following... 1) Basic set up before I start drawing.2) Do I save individual layers seperate and saving in general. [/QUOTE]
Hi, Mark!As far as basic setup goes before you begin drawing I would suggest that you,1.  Create a template (.dwt) file that contains,  a. All the dimension styles you might want to use,  b. All the text styles you will use,  c. Multi leader styles you want.2.  Include in the template file a set of Layer names, linetypes, colors, etc.,3.  Include in the template your Plot styles and any CTB or STB settings.4.  Your title block/basic sheet layout border should also be part of the template Once this is done you can begin a NEW drawing and specify this template.  Everything you defined will be ready to go.  If by chance you are working along and discover something you missed or want to change, simply save this file again as the same template.  You'll want to delete all the model space stuff... but any setup changes (layers, styles, title block definitions) will be saved in the template.  Standard layer names and their settings are definitely a part of a good template.  They're part of the file... not saved separately.Others may add to these recommendations... I'm sure I forgot something.Dave.

Your template will also include the UNITS... whether you want to use Architectural or Metric units, how you want angles displayed, etc.You can go into DWGPROPS too and set up any custom field definitions also.The template can/should also include what Scales you want as standard and how you want them displayed (Options - User Preferences - Default Scale List).This might all seem like a lot of work... and will be if this is just a "one off" project.  But it will help you along the way to remain consistent and to easily change things if you get to the end and decide you want to modify all the text, or all the dimensions, or even how the output is going to look.  And it will give you a great place to start the NEXT project... which we always end up getting.  So it's not a waste of time at all... it will ease you into working with AutoCAD again and really pay you back in the end.That's just my opinion of course...Dave.


heinsite2012-01-06 04:19:10