AutoCAD Basics - Section 1

CHAPTER 4: BASIC DRAWING PARAMETERS

As can be seen from what we have seen so far, we need to establish some parameters when creating drawings in Autocad; Decisions about the units of measurement to use, the format and the precision of the same, are necessary when starting a drawing. Of course, if we have an already drawn drawing and we need to change the units of measure or their precision, there is a dialogue box to do so. So let's review both the determination of the basic parameters of a drawing when starting, and for existing files.

4.1 The system variable STARTUP

We will not get tired of repeating it: Autocad is a marvelous program. Its operation requires a huge number of parameters that determine its appearance and behavior. As we saw in section 2.9, these parameters are configurable through menu options. When we modify any of those parameters, the new values ​​are saved in what is known as “System Variables”. The list of such variables is long, but knowledge of them is necessary to take advantage of various features of the program. It is even possible to invoke and modify the values ​​of the variables, obviously through the command window.

As far as this chapter is concerned, the value of the STARTUP system variable modifies the way in which we can start a new drawing file. To change the value of the variable, simply type it in the command window. In response, Autocad will show us the current value and request the new value.

The possible values ​​for STARTUP are 0 and 1, the differences between one case and another will be understood immediately, according to the method we choose to start new drawings.

4.2 Start with default values

The “New” option in the application menu or the button of the same name in the quick access toolbar opens a dialog to choose a template when the STARTUP system variable is equal to zero.

Templates are drawing files with predetermined elements, such as units of measure, line styles to be used and other specifications that we will study at the time. Some of these templates include boxes for predefined plans and views for, for example, design in 3D. The template used by default is acadiso.dwt, although you can choose any of the ones already included in Autocad in a folder of the program called Templates.