Explore the ease of creating complex geometrical symbols in AutoCAD with minimal redrawing, and the practicality of non-precise moves in certain design scenarios. Follow along as we create a three-way switch, using the existing geometry of another switch, and add text to it.
Key Insights
- Using AutoCAD, you can save time when creating similar geometrical symbols by using 'File, Save As' to create a copy of an existing symbol, and then modifying the copy. This was demonstrated by creating the three-way switch from an ordinary switch symbol.
- Text can be added to a symbol using Single Line Text from the Annotation panel. The properties of the text, such as its start point, height, and rotation angle, can be specified during creation.
- AutoCAD allows for 'imprecise' moves, which can be useful for moving objects like text that do not require specific positioning. This can be done using the Move tool for point-to-point moves, or by 'nudging' the object with the Control and arrow keys.
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In this video, we will create the three-way switch. Now, up until now, we have used File, New every time for each of our symbols.
In this case, the three-way switch and the regular switch use exactly the same geometry, except the three-way switch has a little bit of text. Instead of redrawing this object from scratch, let’s use File, Save As, which saves a copy of our file in our file folder. Then, we can edit the new copy to add our text.
Let’s go to File, Save As, and rename this file to 3-way-switch. I'll hit Save, and it will retain all our information in this copy. Now, we just need to add our text.
In this case, we will use regular text, so I'll go to the Annotation panel, select Text, and use the dropdown to choose Single Line Text. Single Line Text is the traditional way of adding text in AutoCAD, but it will work well for this symbol.
If I check my command prompt, it says 'Specify the Start Point.'
I’ll place the start point somewhere here. Don’t worry, we’ll move it in a moment. My height will be 1/8, press ENTER.
My rotation angle is 0, which means regular text, reading left to right. Now, I can type my text.
This is just the letter '3, ' and I'll press ENTER, Enter, to confirm I’m done.
Now, this text object might be in the wrong position. We know we can use the Move tool for precise moves. We can also use the Move tool for imprecise moves by doing a point-to-point move without specifying geometry.
I’ll make sure Ortho is off, then go to Move, select my text object, press ENTER to lock it in, and now I can click anywhere on the screen.
I’ll pick it up here. Notice that the relationship between the letter '3' and this dashed orange line remains the same.
I don’t need to specify any geometry to move this object. Instead, I can just look at the '3' and see where it goes. The orange line connected to my cursor maintains that relationship.
When I have it in roughly the right position, I can click to lock it in, but remember, this doesn’t create specific locations.
When working in CAD, it is crucial to have precise and accurate drawings. However, in this case, the location of the letter '3' does not matter. If it were something like floor plan dimensions for walls, doors, or windows, that would be extremely important, and we should always use proper data entry for those projects.
There’s another way to move geometry non-specifically: hit Escape to cancel all tools, select the geometry, then hold down the Control key and press the arrow keys.
With Control held down and by pressing the arrow keys, it will nudge the geometry—in this case, our text—around the screen.
When you’re done, simply release the keys and press Escape.
Nudging is great for text or annotation objects that don’t need to be in precise locations.
I’ll perform a Zoom Extents, press Control+S to save, and in the next video, we’ll continue with our electrical symbols.
