Adding
Forces (Autocad)
Using Autocad to Add Forces (Crash Course)
Open Autocad
2009. (You may want to change to Autocad Classic)
Change to model space and make sure you have OBJECT SNAP, DYNAMIC
INPUT (DYN)
- Do
the first force...(Watch the screen as you
do this!)
- Set
the start point of first line (force) at (0,0): Pick Line > Type
0
for x coord >TAB > type 0 for Y coord >
ENTER
- Now
enter the first force: Type 1200 magnitude >TAB >
type 75 degrees > ENTER.
- Oops
- Way too big? You need to zoom the screen: ENTER (to finish lines).
View > Zoom > Extents. You can zoom with scroll button
too.
- Now
enter the 2nd force: Pick Line > Click
on end on first line > Type 1600 magnitude >TAB >
type 120 degrees > ENTER.
- Now
enter the resultant: Pick start point of
first line.
- Finished
Get information about any line...
Double
click on a line to get properties.
The lowest 2 lines are relevant Length = magnitude, and Angle =
angle.
Delta X = Fx and Delta Y = Fy, which is also very handy.
You can also use this Properties Box (above) to change Linecolor, style etc. It is a good idea to make forces = red, construction = white, moment arm = green, and dimensions in another color again.
Set decimal places: Format > Units >
(You may want to increase angle decimal places to 3, lines to 4, depending on your numbers)
Set Dimension decimal places: Format > Dimension Style > Modify > Primary Units ... (3 to 4 dec places depending on numbers)
Join lines together: Use a fillet (round) of zero radius. You could also use a zero chamfer (diagonal corner cut).
Toolbars: (In AutoCAD classic) Right
click on the blank area around any toolbar (left/right side) >
AutoCad > Select toolbars as required (e.g. Dimension, Modify, Draw, Standard
etc).
Change Background color: Tools > Options > Display > Colors > (2D background, Uniform Background) Color > (Select a color)
Snap to Perpendicular etc: ShiftRightButton. This brings up the snap over-ride menu.