Creating a Layout, Section and Elevation with dimensions using AutoCad
AIM:
To Create a Layout, Section and Elevation with dimensions using AutoCad
INTRODUCTION:
The main objective of doing this project is to understand in detail about the various dimensioning tools and leaders used. The various tools which are used for doing this project is Construction line, Offset, FIllet, Rotate, Trim, Extent, Layer, Dimensions and Qleader
CONSTRUCTION LINE
Construction lines (also known as xlines) are temporary line work entities that can be used as references when creating and positioning other objects or line work. Construction lines are either circles or straight lines that extend to infinity in both directions.
The following prompts are displayed.
Select line work under cursor
Specify the line on which we want to base our construction line.
Enter to select points
- Specify a point to define the root of the construction line.
- Specify a second point through which the construction line should pass.
OFFSET
Creates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel curves.
Command used: OFFSET.
FILLET
The fillet tool helps form round corners between any two entities that form a sharp vertex.
A round or fillet can be created between two objects of the same or different object types: 2D polylines, arcs, circles, ellipses, elliptical arcs, lines, rays, splines, and xlines.
If the two selected objects are on the same layer, the arc defined is created on that layer. Otherwise, the arc is created on the current layer. The layer affects object properties including colour and line type.
Command used: FILLET
ROTATE
Used to rotate objects in our drawing around a specified base point. To determine the angle of rotation, we can enter an angle value, drag using the cursor, or specify a reference angle to align to an absolute angle.
Command used: ROTATE
TRIM and EXTENTS
Trims objects to meet the edges of other objects.
Quick Mode. To trim objects, select the objects to be trimmed individually, press and drag to start a freehand selection path, or pick two empty locations to specify a crossing Fence. All objects automatically act as cutting edges. Selected objects that can't be trimmed are deleted instead.
Standard Mode. To trim objects, first select the boundaries and press Enter. Then select the objects to be trimmed. To use all objects as boundaries, press Enter at the first Select Objects prompt.
Command used: TR
Extends objects to meet the edges of other objects. To extend objects, first select the boundaries. Then press Enter and select the objects that you want to extend. To use all objects as boundaries, press Enter at the first Select Objects prompt.
Command used: EX
LAYERS
Use layers to control the visibility of objects and to assign properties such as colour and line type. Objects on a layer normally assume the properties of that layer. However, you can override any layer property of an object. For example, if an object’s colour property is set to BYLAYER, the object displays the colour of that layer. If the object’s colour is set to Red, the object displays as red, regardless of the colour assigned to that layer.
Command used- LAYER
DIMENSIONS
Creates multiple dimensions and types of dimensions with a single command. We can select objects or points on objects to dimension, and then click to place the dimension line. When we hover over an object, the DIM command automatically generates a preview of a suitable dimension type to use.
Supported dimension types include the following:
- Vertical, horizontal, and aligned linear dimensions
- Ordinate dimensions
- Angular dimensions
- Radius and jogged radius dimensions
- Diameter dimensions
- Arc length dimensions
Some DIM options set a mode of operation that persists until we change it, including
- Baseline linear or baseline angular dimensioning
- Continue linear or continue angular dimensioning
- Radius, diameter, jogged radius, or arc length dimensions
Some DIM options provide methods to edit dimensions including
- Align the dimension lines of selected dimensions to a reference or base dimension
- Offset the dimension lines of selected dimensions
- Specify a different layer for subsequently created dimensions
First extension line origin
Creates a linear dimension when you specify two points.
Angular
Creates an angular dimension showing the angle between three points by or the angle between two lines (same as the DIMANGULAR command).
- Vertex. Specifies the point to use as the vertex of an angular dimension.
- Specify first side of angle. Specifies one of the lines that defines the angle.
- Specify second side of angle. Specifies the other line that defines the angle.
- Angular dimension location. Specifies the quadrant and location for the arc dimension line.
- Mtext. Edits the dimension text with the Text Editor contextual tab.
- Text. Edits the dimension text in the Command window.
- Text angle. Specifies the angle of the dimension text.
- Undo. Returns to the previous prompt.
- Undo. Returns to the previous prompt.
Baseline
Creates a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension from the first extension line of the previous or selected dimension (same as the DIMBASELINE command).
Note: By default, the last created dimension is used as the base dimension.
- First extension line origin. Specifies the first extension line of the base dimension as the extension line origin for the baseline dimension.
- Second extension line origin. Specifies the next edge or angle to dimension.
- Feature Location. Uses the endpoint of the base dimension (ordinate dimension) as the endpoint for the baseline dimension.
- Select. Prompts you select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension to use as the base for the baseline dimension.
- Offset. Specifies the offset distance from which the baseline dimensions are created.
- Undo. Undoes the last baseline dimension created.
Continue
Creates a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension from the second extension line of a selected dimension (same as the DIMCONTINUE command).
- First extension line origin. Specifies the first extension line of the base dimension as the extension line origin for the continued dimension.
- Second extension line origin. Specifies the next edge or angle to dimension.
- Feature location. Uses the endpoint of the base dimension (ordinate dimension) as the endpoint for the continued dimension.
- Select. Prompts you select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension to use as the base for the continued dimension.
- Undo. Undoes the last baseline dimension created.
Ordinate
Creates an ordinate dimension (same as DIMORDINATE command).
- Feature location. Prompts for a point on a feature such as an endpoint, intersection, or center of an object.
- Leader endpoint. Uses the difference between the feature location and the leader endpoint to determine whether it is an X or a Y ordinate dimension. If the difference in the Y ordinate is greater, the dimension measures the X ordinate. Otherwise, it measures the Y ordinate.
- Xdatum. Measures the X ordinate and determines the orientation of the leader line and dimension text.
- Ydatum. Measures the Y ordinate and determines the orientation of the leader line and dimension text.
- Mtext. Displays the Text Editor contextual tab, which you can use to edit the dimension text.
- Text. Customizes the dimension text at the Command prompt. The generated dimension is displayed within angle brackets.
- Angle. Specifies the angle of the dimension text.
- Undo. Returns to the previous prompt.
- Undo. Returns to the previous prompt.
Align
Aligns multiple parallel, concentric, or same datum dimensions to a selected base dimension.
- Base dimension. Specifies a dimension to use as basis for the dimensions alignment.
- Dimensions to align. Selects the dimensions to align to the selected base dimension.
Distribute
Specifies the method on how to distribute a group of selected isolated linear or ordinate dimensions.
- Equal. Equally distributes all selected dimensions. This method requires a minimum of three dimension lines.
- Offset. Distributes all selected dimensions at a specified offset distance.
Layer
Assigns new dimensions to the specified layer, overriding the current layer. Enter Use Current or " . " to use the current layer. (DIMLAYER system variable)
Undo
Reverses the last dimension operation.
The following options are displayed when you place a dimension in such a way that it overlaps an existing dimension.
Move away
Arranges the existing dimension and the newly inserted dimension into a baseline dimension type.
Break up
Splits up the existing dimension into two dimensions, and arranges those dimensions into a continued dimension type.
Replace
Deletes the existing dimension and replaces it with the one you insert.
QLEADER COMMAND
Creates a leader and leader annotation.
In most cases, it is recommended that you use the MLEADER command to create leader objects.
The following options are available with QLEADER:
- Specify leader annotation and annotation format
- Set the location where leaders attach to multiline text annotation
- Limit the number of leader segments
- Constrain the angle of the first and second leader segments
You can use the Leader Settings dialog box to customize the command so that it prompts you for the number of leader points and the annotation type suited to your drawing needs.
If associative dimensioning is turned on with DIMASSOC, the leader start point can be associated with a location on an object. If the object is relocated, the arrowhead remains attached to the object and the leader line stretches, but the text or feature control frame remains in place.
The following prompts are displayed.
- First Leader Point
- Specifies the start point for the first in a series of leader segments. The Number of Points setting on the Leader Line & Arrow tab of the Leader Settings dialog box limits the number of prompts for leader points.
- Width
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Specifies the width of the text string. If you set the text width value to 0.00, the width of the multiline text is unlimited.
- Tolerance
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(Available inf Tolerance is selected on the Annotation tab of the Leader Settings dialog box)
Displays the Geometric Tolerance dialog box. Use the dialog box to create the tolerance feature control frame.
- Block name
- (Available if Block Reference is selected on the Annotation tab of the Leader Settings dialog box)
Specifies the name of a block to insert at the end of the leader line.
- ?. Lists the blocks defined in the drawing.
- Insertion point. Specifies where to insert the block. The prompts are the same as for the -INSERT command.
Use these commands to create leaders for notes and labels.
QNS 1) 1. Create the Plan and Sections as shown in the Figures. Use proper dimension techniques and dimension styles to document the project. Assume the sizes of the doors and windows as per construction standards. Refer to sections for stair details if required.


The complete procedure for drawing the plan is given below.
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Type UN and press enter Under Drawing Units, select decimal Now the lower limit is set to 0, 0 and upper limit to 100000, 100000 Type Z enter to zoom and A enter to all |
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STEP 1: Exterior walls To create a Layer In the Layer Properties Manager, click New Layer. A layer name is added to the layer list. Enter a new layer name as walls by typing over the highlighted layer name. Select a suitable colour for that layer Using the construction line command XL horizontal and vertical lines was created. As the thickness of external walls is 250, an offset of 250 was created both vertically and horizontally. The edges and corners are trimmed off or filleted. The horizontal outer line is offsetted to a distance of 11850. This line is again offsetted to a distance of 250 that is the wall thickness The vertical outer line is offsetted to a distance of 16138. This line is again offsetted to a distance of 125 that is the wall thickness The edges and corners are trimmed off or filleted to get the following image |
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Step 2: Interior walls According to the plan the internal walls are drafted by offseting the external walls as required and the thickness of internal walls is taken as 125. The edges and corners after trimming or filleting the following image is obtained |
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Step 3: openings Now using the line and trim command all the openings in interior and exterior walls was made for doors or for steps and the resultant image obtained is as follows. |
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step 4: Columns To create a Layer for columns In the Layer Properties Manager, click New Layer. A layer name is added to the layer list. Enter a new layer name as Columns by typing over the highlighted layer name. Select a suitable colour for that layer Using the rectangle command a column of size 250x400 was drawn and placed at positions necesary and as shown in figure. |
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Step 5: Window and doors To create a Layer for windows and doors In the Layer Properties Manager, click New Layer. A layer name is added to the layer list. Enter a new layer name as windows and doors by typing over the highlighted layer name. Select a suitable colour for that layer By using the line, offset, trim and fillet commands all the doors and windows was cretaed and placed as in plans. The size of doors and windows was assumed as per standard dimentions and is as follws: D-1000 D1-750 D2-900 W-1000 W1-900 W2-1200 W3-1500 W4-700 |
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Step 7: Staircase portion The staircase portion was then drawn next using tools like line, offset, fillet and trim. As for dimensions thread was taken as 250mm and rise of 150mm |
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Step 8: Texts To create a Layer for texts In the Layer Properties Manager, click New Layer. A layer name is added to the layer list. Enter a new layer name as text by typing over the highlighted layer name. Select a suitable colour for that layer. Using ST command, the text style manager a suitable font- Tempus sans and height of text 250mm was specified and was set as current and all. All the texts which are to be entered and was typed and doted lines was provided at places necessary |
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Step 9: Dimensions To create a Layer for Dimensions In the Layer Properties Manager, click New Layer. A layer name is added to the layer list. Enter a new layer name as Dimensions by typing over the highlighted layer name. Select a suitable colour for that layer. By typing the D command for dimension style manager the overall scale of 75 was applied and in text alignment section aligh with dimension line was chosen. The plan layout is now complete and the resultant plan obtained is as shown |
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| SECTION AA | |
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Using the XL command for construction lines, the projection of all the walls and columns which are coming in the section was taken first. The height of the floors was taken accordingly as in plan. G.F-2450mm 1st Floor-2850mm 2nd Floor-2850mm 3rd Floor-2850mm |
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| Now all the unwanted lines was trimmed off and a base outline of the section is as given | ![]() |
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The windows and doors lines was now projected using the construction line tool and are drawn as per the dimensions as follows W2-1200x1200 W4-700x500 D-1000x2000 |
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Now all the windows which are coming in the wall section was drawn and their sunshade was also drawn at this point. The dimensions of the windows is as follows W3-1500x1200 W-1000x1500 |
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The staircase was designed next. The dimensions of steps from ground floor to 2nd floor is as follws Thread-250mm Riser-143.75mm The 3rd floor dmension of step is as follws. Thread-250 Riser-158.33. Also all the beams which comes along the columns was also made for all floors as shown |
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| The parapet wall and the over head tank was designed next | ![]() |
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As all the parts of section are now done, the dimensioning was done next. The dimensions layer was set for this and the step was completed as shown. |
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The final step is providing the texts where ever necessary. The section AA is now complete and the final image is as shown |
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| SECTION BB | |
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Using the XL command for construction lines, the projection of all the walls and columns which are coming in the section BB was taken first. The height of the floors was taken accordingly as in plan. G.F-2450mm 1st Floor-2850mm 2nd Floor-2850mm 3rd Floor-2850mm And other room dimensions was taken as per the plan |
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Few of the unwanted lines are now trimmed off. All the general outline for walls are now drawn for each floor |
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All unwanted lines are now trimmed off,and next the windows was drawn as shown. Now a rough outline sketch of the section is obtained. Window sill level was taken as 800mm and lintel level as 2300mm Window size is as follows: W3-1500x1200 W4-700x500 |
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The beams are provided where ever necessary as per the plan as shown and this was done with the help of rectangle command. The sunshade is also drawn as required and the section BB is now complete |
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As all the parts of section are now done, the dimensioning was done next. The dimensions layer was set for this and the step was completed as shown. |
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The final step is providing the texts where ever necessary. The section BB is now complete and the final image is as shown |
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RESULTS:
The Layout, Section and Elevation with dimensions using AutoCad was created and results obtained is as follows.
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PLAN
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SECTION AA
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SECTION BB
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