Cheryl Shrock
Cheryl Shrock and co-author Steve Heather are always trying to think of new ways to make it even easier to learn and use AutoCAD. And the AutoCAD® Pocket Reference, 8th Edition, is one of the best quick reference tools available for this purpose. It includes all the important fundamental commands, concepts, and how to information for the every day use of AutoCAD® 2018 or AutoCAD® 2019. It is not designed to take the place of larger textbooks but rather to supplement them as a quick reference.
The information in this book has been organized in 13 sections. Each section contains related material. For example, if you needed information regarding dimensioning, you would go to: Section 3: Dimensioning.
AutoCAD has two color themes, Light and Dark. The Light color theme has been used throughout this book. To change the color theme refer to Appendix B.
This reference book was created using AutoCAD 2019. There are some cosmetic changes, such as the look of the buttons between AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD 2019, but the commands are the same.
Cheryl R. Shrock, is a retired Professor and Chairperson of Computer Aided Design at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California. She is also an Autodesk® registered author.
Steve Heather is a former Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Aided Design in England, UK. Previous to teaching and for more than 30 years, he worked as a Precision Engineer in the Aerospace and Defense Industries. For the past 10 years he has been a Beta Tester for Autodesk®, testing the latest AutoCAD® software. Steve can be contacted for questions or comments at [email protected].
The Array command allows you to make multiple copies in a Rectangular or Polar (Circular) pattern and even on a Path. The maximum limit of copies per array is 100,000. This limit can be changed but should accommodate most users. (Refer to the Help Menu if you choose to change the limit.)
Rectangular Array
This method allows you to make multiple copies of object(s) in a rectangular pattern. You specify the number of rows (horizontal), columns (vertical) and the spacing between the rows and columns. The spacing will be equally spaced between copies.
Spacing is sometimes tricky to understand. Read this carefully. The spacing is the distance from a specific location on the original to that same location on the future copy. It is not just the space in between the two. Refer to the example below.
To use the rectangular Array command you will select the object(s), specify how many rows and columns desired and the spacing for the rows and the columns.
Refer to step-by-step instructions on page 1-3.
Example of a Rectangular Array:
How to create a Rectangular Array
1. Draw a 1" [25.4 mm] Square Rectangle.
2. Select the Array command using one of the following:
Ribbon = Home Tab / Modify Panel / Array or Keyboard = array <Enter>
3. Select Rectangular Array.
4. Select objects: select the object to be arrayed.
5. Select objects: select more objects or <Enter> to stop.
The Array Creation Tab appears with a 3 x 4 default grid array of the object selected.
6. Make any changes necessary in the Array Creation Tab, then press <Enter> to display any changes.
7. If the display is correct select Close Array.
How to edit a Rectangular Array
1. Select the Array to edit.
The Array Tab is displayed. (The Quick Properties will also be displayed if you have the Quick Properties button on in the Status Bar.)
2. Make any changes necessary in the Array Tab, then press <Enter> to display any changes.
3. If the display is correct select Close Array.
How to edit a Rectangular Array
Using Grips to edit
You may also use the Grips to edit the spacing. Just click on a grip and drag.
A. The first
B. The last
C. The
D. Use the Base Point grip to
How to edit a Rectangular Array
Using Grips to edit