Objective - University of Michigan



Objective

To learn to import drawings that may have been created with other graphic, drafting, modeling, rendering, animation, structural analysis, cost estimating, site planning, etc., programs; to learn to manipulate the color, linetype, and line weights of displayed lines.

Exercise

1. Start a new drawing in AutoCAD.

2. Copy the DXF format drawing from a web browser using the following URL (and toggle Save file...):



Or, follow the links from the course web page.

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3. Once the file has been copied to a local drive, choose “Open” from the “File” menu and choose “DXF” format. A topological map with a rectangular site boundary and a simple road should appear in the drawing area. There will also be layers which organize the site boundary, contour lines, trees, etc.

Architects pay close attention to the data available to them. The prime function of the survey is to show the extent of the property lines. Each line that forms the perimeter is described by the surveyor by direction and length; for example, north 30 degrees east (N 30° E). Curved lines are given by the radius, the length of the arc, and the direction of the curve. Each lot is assigned a point of beginning (POB) which is a corner of the property located in relation to some prominent feature: a curb, a manhole, section line (which, of course, is imaginary), or center line of the street. This point of beginning is also described and located in the deed. Angular bearings always read from north or south and each lot line direction starting from the POBs established.

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The example, North 30° East, shows that the line is 30 degrees east of true north. This angle is called the bearing of the line; it can be taken from north or south, whichever produces an angle less than 90 degrees (90°). To complete the bearing data a length is assigned to each line and measured in feet and decimal parts of a foot with the civil engineer's tape. At the end of the line the surveyor will install a marker which may be a formal concrete monument, an iron pin, or a wooden stake and which will establish permanently the exact corner of the property. By utilizing the bearing of the adjacent line the surveyor can turn the angle at the corner. It is then possible to show the perimeter of the lot graphically.

4. Set up your drawing to use “Architectural” units.

5. Set your drawing limits to (-10’, -50’) by (305’, 190’). Review previous handouts if you have forgotten how. (This is only necessary if you will be plotting with the “Limits” Plot Area.)

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6. Load the linetypes you will use for this exercise. You can first look at the list of linetypes available (Use Format-Linetype… and hit the “Load” button):

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AutoCAD will display a series of representations of available linetypes in the text-mode screen. You will use the linetypes named “BORDER” and “DASHED2”.

7. Change the linetype of the site boundary to BORDER. Although you just changed the linetype of the site boundary, it still looks like a solid line because the new linetype pattern is too small for it to show up properly at the current view scale. You can fix this by altering the scale factor of the linetype.

8. Set the linetype scale factor of the site boundary to an appropriate scale to display properly in the current drawing. You can use the LTSCALE command to do this:

Command: LTSCALE

New scale factor : 200

You can also use the LINETYPE dialog box to change LTSCALE. Toggle the “Details>>” button and enter the scale factor after the ”Global scale factor” prompt. Individual objects may be scaled independently by setting the “Linetype Scale” value in the “Modify Properties” dialog. The Global scale factor and object linetype scale are combined to provide a single scale factor for each object.

9. Change the width of the site boundary line. This can be done with the PEDIT command (also found in the “Modify II” toolbar and in the “Modify-Polyline” menu), which is a general command used for editing the properties of polylines. Among other things, this command will allow you to change the width of polylines, and smooth a polyline made up of straight line segments.

Command: PEDIT

Select polyline or [Multiple]:

Close/Join/Width/Edit vertex/Fit/Spline/Decurve/Ltype gen/Undo: W

Enter new width for all segments: 1’

A width of 1’ when plotted at a scale of 1”=30’ will result in a line width of about 1/32”.

10. Add the floor plan you created in the previous assignment to the site. Do not worry if the design of your floor plan isn’t very appropriate for this site. You will be graded on your mastery of AutoCAD, not on the quality of the design.

Select the “Inset Block” tool from the “Draw” toolbar.

In the dialog box that appears, click the “File...” button, and from the list of files, choose the file that contains your “Floor Plan” assignment. Make sure that the check box labeled “Specify parameters on the screen” is checked, but not the one labeled “Explode”. Click on “OK”.

Place your floor plan on the site. A “ghost” image of the floor plan will follow the cross-hairs as you move them around on the screen. Click once to place the plan. AutoCAD will then prompt you for scale factors and a rotation angle:

Insertion point: X scale factor /Corner/XYZ:

Y scale factor (default=X):

Rotation angle :

If you wish, you can use the MOVE or ROTATE commands to further adjust the position and orientation of the house on the site.

11. Turn off all floor plan layers except the “Walls” layer. You will notice that the layers are intact after the insertion and that they still function (Freeze/Thaw) even though the floor plan is a “Block Reference.”

12. Draw a house perimeter. Also, draw a roof outline and overhangs for your house using the DASHED2 linetype. You will find the OFFSET command helpful for creating the roof outline. You may have to assign a linetype scale to the roof line to ensure the dashes show clearly. Put the roof lines and house perimeter on a new layer. You may wish to add the rooflines and perimeter to your floor plan drawing before importing it to your site drawing. In either case, the rooflines and perimeter must be on their own layer. Turn off all but the Perimeter/Roofline layer.

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13. Adjust the contour lines to accommodate the building footprint. You may wish to remove those portions of the contours that are inside the rooms or walls of the house. Sections of polylines can be removed using the TRIM command.

You should also change the curvature of the contours so as not to direct surface runoff toward the house. Do this by dragging the grips of the contour segments with the mouse.

14. Annotate the contours with their elevations. Use the TRIM or BREAK commands to make small breaks in the contour lines, and then use the TEXT or DTEXT command to write in elevation numbers for the contour lines. Make sure the contour text flows with the contour line; that is, determine the text angle by the angle of the contour at the line break.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Break and annotate each contour line before converting to a spline curve. This will reduce the number of control points considerably.

15. Smooth the contour lines. This can be accomplished with the PEDIT command:

Command: PEDIT

Select polyline or [Multiple]:

Enter an option [Close/Join/Width/Edit vertex/Fit/Spline/Decurve/Ltype S

You can also try the “Fit” subcommand to decide if you like it better than “Spline”. You may use either for this assignment.

16. Add two leaders and annotation. Use the “Leader” command (Dimension menu, or type “leader”) to add at least two leader annotation elements to your site plan. These should note site features such as good views, wetlands, location of large shade trees, out buildings, etc. Control the size of the leader arrowhead and the leader text by using the system variable “DIMSCALE.”

Command: dimscale

Enter new value for DIMSCALE : 200

18. Plot the drawing at 1”=30’ scale. Set appropriate line widths. Only show the Roofline/Perimeter layer for the house; that is, turn off the walls, text, patio and furniture layers.

19. Add further embellishments to the drawing and plot. You may wish to add sidewalks, driveways, trees, shrubs, a north arrow, some notes, a scale indicator, other buildings (shed, another house footprint) etc. As always, turn in one plot with the required work and another to show additional work. Plot the embellishments at a larger scale, zoomed in on the house outlines.

20. Save your work, exit AutoCAD, and backup your drawing.

Although the terms "site plan" and "plot plan" are used frequently, the term "site improvement plan" tells a much fuller story. It describes the drawings more accurately.

This plan shows the entire scope of the project, including all its ancillary features. The drawings are executed with a small scale to incorporate the totality of the project: the site and the building, and all its services.

The site improvement plan is based on a survey of the property. The information it contains should include an accurate graphic description of all property lines. The survey is furnished by the owner and if an updated one is not available he should be encouraged to have a new one made. Any competent registered surveyor can provide the necessary data. A complete list of essential survey information can be found at the end of this chapter.

The layman is often confident that he knows everything about his property; where it begins, in what direction it lies, and how big it is. In reality, he may be quite ignorant of the facts. He will, for instance, describe his property as running along "that fence line" back to "about where the tree is" or over there to "that clump of bushes." These are not accurate descriptions and are not valid information for the architect who is preparing the site improvement plan. Each piece of property is shown and described in a system of books, papers, and drawings kept up-to-date by the local government. The methods may vary, but land measurement is an official function of the city or county. Each parcel of land is described and shown, no matter how large or small. A rectangular system developed by the Federal Government and widely applied in the United States utilizes latitude and longitude to form rectilinear townships which are divided into sections, each one square mile in area. The smaller divisions are made to accommodate the smaller pieces of property. Each property owner can find his particular lot, parcel, or tract regardless of its location.

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Diagrams are generated in the earliest stages of the design process. Diagrammatic models are some of the most important types of drawing for the designer, yet they are almost never seen by the client. Diagrams are a visual means for collecting and sorting information, for testing ideas and exploring alternative solutions. They represent a crucial, intimate conversation with oneself, conducted in a very specific language that has its own vocabulary, grammar and syntax. Diagrams also communicate ideas to classmates or professional peers.

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This drawing is a diagrammatic, schematic plan sketch showing pedestrian pathways. Note the use of node symbols.

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Thse four different sketches below were evaluated with respect to vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and are offered as alternatives to the given site program. Graphic symbols for flow and bubbles are scale-less and are ideal for both small- and large-scale projects.

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This plan illustrates a decorative motif in varying configurations to represent the different plants. It can be carried out in great detail and used in many representations. Notes must be added to the drawings to explain the plant types.

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Architects will sometimes add a vicinity plan to the drawings. This plan is helpful to everyone concerned. The general area around the project site is shown and major traffic arteries which make delivery of materials easier are emphasized. It is also an aid to anyone reviewing the project and evaluating the project’s impact on the contiguous neighborhoods.

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A plan for landscaping work denoting the specific plantings with reference, by number to the “plant schedule:”

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