Guide to Tracing/Importing a Drawing

Introduction #

Welcome to our blog, where we explore innovative solutions in structural engineering. Today, we’re diving into tracing or importing a drawing.

Body/Section #

Step 1: Get ready with you CAD drawing #

Figure 1: Setting the layer in AutoCAD

First and foremost, it is important to properly set the layer for each component in AutoCAD. Set the layers in AutoCAD for different components. So that the layer for the respective component can be toggled on and off later.

Step 2: Create a new project #

Open the user interface by creating a new project. Started tracing the drawing by clicking the “Tracing/importing” button as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Navigate to tracing/importing drawing

Figure 3: Select the drawing by clicking the “open drawing” button

Next, open any drawing but make sure it is either .dwg or .dwg format. Choose the drawing file to import from computer storage. Once selected, import the drawing into your project. 

Step 3: Set the origins #

Figure 4: Setting an origin from a CAD drawing

Set the origins by clicking the intersection point in the bottom left. Setting the origins is essential for accurate positioning and alignment of your drawing elements.

Figure 5: Properties of the imported drawing

The properties of the drawing can be adjusted on the side window as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6: Tracing layers in the side navigation window

The properties of the imported drawing can be adjusted in the side window such as visibility, show original color or bring the drawing to the front.

Step 4: Create grid lines #

Figure 7: Adding grid lines based on the traced drawing

Begin by establishing the grid lines to assist you in tracing or aligning elements. Since the origin has been set, the beginning of the x-axis (1-1) and y-axis (A-A) are already in place. Use the grid tool to create additional grid lines as needed.