Basic Object Tools Overview

To help you get started in 2D drafting I'll introduce you to the tools used from the Basic Palette.  Learning how to use these tools are one of the fundamentals of drafting.  I recommend learning or customizing the shortcuts for these tools since you will be using them most of the time.  Some of the basic tools, which I've grayed out the names of, I do not use at all so don't be expected to memorize them.

A good way to memorize these shortcuts is through association.  I personally started to memorize these shortcuts by thinking of how many vertices are on the object.  The Line object has 2 vertices and is assigned the shortcut 2.  The Rectangle object has 4 vertices and is assigned the shortcut 4.  After a while of practicing to use shortcuts you will become faster and more efficient.  Sometimes, you can be really efficient with one tool and not need to use another tool every again.

Text Tool (1)

  The Text tool is the most basic annotation tool available.  To create a Text, activate the tool and then click where you would like the text to start.  You can also click + hold, then drag the cursor to set a length for the text.  There are two modes available: Horizontal or Rotated.  If you click + hold, then drag in Horizontal mode the text will be horizontal and have a set length.  If on the Rotated mode, when you drag the cursor the angle of the text adjust.  In the end, the text behave the same way.  Using the Horizontal mode and then using the Rotate tool achieves the same.  I do not use the Rotated mode myself since horizontal text is easier to read.

Callout Tool (Alt+1 or Cmd+1)

The Callout Tool is an efficient annotation tool because it combines a text and leader line into one object.  It is the most common tool I use when creating construction details and can also be used for labeling other drawings.  You can keep you drawings clean by dragging the first Callout and duplicating it below to make a list of Callouts.  Moving the endpoint of the leader line is as easy as selecting the vertex and moving it to the destination.  This also prevents crowding of objects as it keeps your maximum text widths consistent in case you have other objects nearby.

2D Locus (0)

The 2D Locus tool is a non-printable object that is useful for setting guides and snapping points in symbols.  You can use a locus to mark visual cues of grading heights on elevations rather than drawing printable lines or dimensions that you may forget to delete or make invisible.  Locus are also great for marking insertion points on symbols because it is a visual cue that lets you know where someone has set it.  It also provides a snapping point in that symbol which is helpful when you are stacking symbols over each other, or aligning objects with that symbol.

Line (2)

The Line Tool is the most basic object tool that you will commonly use.  Click once to start drawing a line and click again to end the line.  There are a few different modes for the Line tool but I typically keep it as shown above.  You can have your lines drawn to "Constrained" angles or "Unconstrained" angles.  I use Unconstrained because if you have your angular snaps on then your Line will snap to the same constrained angles if you were on Constrained mode.  The next modes are "Vertex" mode or "Center" mode.  Vertex mode makes your first click the first vertex or point of your line.  The Center mode makes you first click the center of the line so that as you drag your cursor the line lengthens from the center point.  I think the Vertex mode is more intuitive so I prefer using that mode rather than Center mode.

Arc (3)

The Arc Tool is useful if you want to create symmetrical arc shapes.  There are several different modes available but I find the graphics representing each mode are not that intuitive to understand.  I prepared a diagram showing you how each mode creates an arc along with visuals representing where I clicked to create the shape.  The 2D locis (X) represent where I clicked with the cursor on the screen.  The numbers 1, 2 and 3 show the order of the clicks.

Rectangle (4)

The Rectangle Tool is a simple tool for creating a four sided polygon.  There are four modes for the tool and they are: Corner to Corner, Center to Corner, Midpoint to Corner, and Three Point Rotated mode.  I typically use Corner to Corner as it is the most intuitive mode since most drawing programs use a same method.  The modes are self-explanatory so choose a mode that you are comfortable with.

Polyline (5)

The Polyline Tool is a great tool if you want to draw some gentle curving lines, such as meandering landscape pathways or arcing filigrees.  Much more useful than the freehand tool (however that much more technical and difficult to use).  You can also use the Corner Vertex Mode to create a polyline with sharp corners.

Double Polyline Tool (Alt+8 or Cmd+8)

The Double Polyline Tool is one of my most used tools because it saves me a lot of steps the way I use it.  This tool creates a continuous polygon shape that's width can be customized before drawing.  It's a great tool for drawing trim boards, mullions for windows, or individual components for handrails.  I prefer using this tool over the Rectangle tool because drawing a series of rectangles and then joining them together takes more time.  For the Double Polyline Tool, it only take 4 clicks at the corner to be done.  With rectangles, it can take 12+ clicks if you include tabbing through the Data Bar and manually typing in 4" wide gutters, and then selecting all the rectangles, then right-clicking and selecting Add Surface.

Drawn with Double Polyline Tool.

Drawn with Rectangle Tool, but not joined yet.

Offset Tool (Shift + - )

The Offset Tool is useful when you want to create a copy of a selected object that is a set parallel distance from it.  If the selected object is a curved line, the copy will retain the same curve but with a large or smaller radius depending on which side of the selected object you click.  Some examples of where you would use the Offset Tool are when you are drawing the outline of a gutter on a roof plan, the opposite side of a curving road or pathway, and window frames.