Working with components and views

00:04

Let's review a few of the unique interface elements of AutoCAD Mechanical.

00:08

And then we'll take a look at how we can work with components and views rather than just lines and layers.

00:14

And we'll also set up some construction lines in a way that's slightly different than you might be used to,

00:20

to prepare to create a new component.

00:23

At first glance, AutoCAD Mechanical will appear very familiar to any AutoCAD user.

00:28

However, even some of the tools that seem like they're completely familiar will have some special capabilities inside of AutoCAD Mechanical.

00:37

The concept of construction lines is quite different in AutoCAD Mechanical and there are even specialized types of Construction Lines.

00:47

Tools unique to AutoCAD Mechanical are tools like Hide Situation,

00:51

that can automatically generate hidden lines or remove portions of geometry as objects overlay one another.

00:58

This is done automatically and maintained as you make changes to the geometry,

01:03

something as fundamental as layering is handled differently in AutoCAD Mechanical.

01:07

Because the concept of layers and the concept of objects that AutoCAD Mechanical uses is so important.

01:14

There are specialized tools that allow you to quickly switch on and switch off objects and types of geometry,

01:20

rather than simply focusing on what layer they're on.

01:27

For now, we'll turn on the existing construction lines and you'll see how they align from view to view.

01:38

We can go in and use one of the specialized versions of the construction line,

01:42

which is the offset construction line and use it just like you would use the offset tool.

01:48

But AutoCAD Mechanical automatically creates the correct association for the new objects,

01:52

and makes sure that everything is put on the correct layer for you.

01:57

You can also use the traditional offset tool if you like as well.

02:01

Now we should take a step back and review how this drawing is put together.

02:08

If you select an object, you will simply get that entity.

02:12

For example, a line that represents the top of the shaft, clicking on it a second time will review that other objects are connected to it.

02:21

Other objects that are connected to a component or in this case, an assembly of components.

02:27

This offers us insight into AutoCAD Mechanical's ability to understand the concept of components.

02:33

If we turn on the Mechanical browser, we can see the structure of this design.

02:38

We have a component named "Stand" and we have an assembly named "Lower Shaft".

02:44

Components are managed very much in the way you might expect from a 3D tool.

02:48

But of course, AutoCAD Mechanical is still working with 2D entities.

02:52

If I select the "Stand" or select any of the views of the Stand,

02:57

you'll see the entities associated with those views highlight in the drawing window.

03:03

By selecting the various components of the Lower Shaft, you'll see those objects highlight in the window.

03:10

This makes it much easier to keep your drawings organized and keep track of the changes that you need to make,

03:15

as you'll see in some of the other videos in this series working with components,

03:19

makes a tremendous difference in the speed and efficiency of developing your 2D drawings.