Getting Started with DraftSight

Learn mechanical drafting for commercial and academic projects

Overview

• Create precise mechanical drawings with DraftSight
• Download and install this free software in Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Learn how to dimension and prepare sheets for printing with fully illustrated exercises

In Detail

Computer-aided design (CAD) uses computer systems to assist in the creation, modification, and analysis of a design. DraftSight is a 2D computer-aided design (CAD) software application. DraftSight includes all the main tools to draft with precision, and it works with DWG files, the most popular CAD file type. It runs on a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Getting Started with DraftSight addresses all the main phases for executing and printing a mechanical project. These concepts and commands can easily be applied to other areas. Beginning with the very basic concepts, and going through all the necessary drawing steps, you will finish by printing a full scale mechanical drawing. The illustrative examples will help you understand the design process and teach you how to utilize DraftSight features in your mechanical design projects.

You will start with an overview of the mechanical design process, which will help you understand the different commands, tools, and tasks involved in DraftSight projects. You will then proceed to executing all the phases of the design process. This includes setting up a drawing, drawing and editing with precision, organizing with layers, and finally obtaining valid information from the drawing. Furthermore, you will also learn to apply fills, patterns, and dimensions, and the process of defining and printing sheets.

With “GettingStarted with DraftSight” you will learn how to specify and document parts and print drawings with the help of DraftSight. Towards the end of this book you will be introduced to some advanced concepts like additional layer commands, and methods to reference other drawings or images, which can be very useful when dealing with complex projects.

What you will learn from this book

• Download and get started with DraftSight
• Create drawing entities with precision
• Structure projects and follow standards
• Build simple and complex projects
• Create and apply components (blocks)
• Apply fills and regular patterns
• Dimension mechanical drawings
• Define printing sheets and print efficiently
• Reference other drawings and images

Approach

Packed with illustrations and step-by-step guidelines, this book will serve as a guide for DraftSight and get you up and running with it!

Who this book is written for

Getting Started with DraftSight is for anyone who wants to create accurate 2D drawings in the DWG file format. It is also a great resource for architectural, engineering, or design professionals and students. The reader needs to have basic knowledge of CAD.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to DraftSight
Chapter 2: Drawing with Precision
Chapter 3: Starting to Create Projects
Chapter 4: Structuring Projects and Following Standards
Chapter 5: Inquiring Projects and Modifying Properties
Chapter 6: Creating Complex Projects
Chapter 7: Creating and Applying Components
Chapter 8: Applying Fills and Patterns
Chapter 9: Documenting Projects
Chapter 10: Printing Efficiently
Chapter 11: Advanced Tools