1. CAD/CAM – An Introduction to 2D Design
Drawing Practice
Starter Activity:
Do you know what a geometric shape is? How many can you draw neatly by hand (and label).

2. OPEN “TECHSOFT 2D DESIGN”:
Start > Programs > Techsoft Design Tools > 2D Design
This programme allows you to create “vector” images. These are images made up of lines. They are different to “bitmap” images which are made up of dots.
Are the images below bitmap or vector?

3. You will see a blank grid
You will see a blank grid. The distance between the dots represents 10mm.

4. Setup Drawing Standard Size A4 Landscape
Setting the size of the work area:
Setup Drawing Standard Size A4 Landscape
! - The standard sizes in 2D Design relate to the standard sizes for paper and card. You can also set your own specific size by using the “user defined” setting in the Setup menu.

5. How do I draw something?
The toolbar for drawing is located on the left of the drawing area.
Using the rectangle tool, draw a border around the page, keeping your left mouse button pressed whilst drawing.
! - The border helps to contain the information and if somebody else uses your drawing they know that all they have all of the information and are not missing parts off the edges.

6. I want to make my shape a specific size:
Grid Lock
Draw another rectangle but give it a precise size – 100mm x 80mm.
First, ensure that grid lock is active and as you draw, watch the REL display at the bottom of the screen until the right size appears. R E L
! - Other options for measurements may be available but it is best to use mm.
? - Try and think to scale…what else can you visualise that iis about 100mm across?

7. How do I add dimension lines as guides?:
Activate the dimension tool.
Click (and let go) on the bottom left hand corner of the rectangle and then move the mouse to the bottom right hand corner of the rectangle.
As you click on the bottom right hand corner, drag the mouse downwards and create the dimension guideline.
Dimension tool
! - Your guidelines would not be cut out when you send the file to be machined.
They are there to help you to visualise the size of your objects when working at different scales.

8. How do I make other shapes? (circles):
Click on the circle tool with the left mouse button.
Click on the right mouse button and give the circle a radius of 40mm.
Click OK.
Position the circle on the screen and click the left mouse button twice.
Circle Tool
! - The radius is the distance from the centre of the circle to the outside edge. It is important to know the difference between radius and diameter.
? - What is the diameter?

9. Dimensioning a circle:
Click on the dimension tool.
Keep the mouse button
held down and reveal extra tools. Select the diameter dimension tool.
Diameter Dimension
Position the cursor on the circle click the mouse button drag the line and click the mouse button again to reveal the diameter size.
! - In many programs, similar extra tools can be revealed by clicking and holding the mouse button down over a tool. If you do this over the rectangle tool, you will reveal the extra tools to create geometric shapes.

10. Drawing practice: Draw the following shapes: a hexagon - side of 50mm;
a triangle - base of 100mm;
a pentagon - base of 60mm;
an ellipse 100 x 80mm.
Use the polygon tool to create the hexagon and pentagon, it will ask you for the number of sides required.

11. Adding colour to the shapes:
Using the select tool click on the line of the rectangle and highlight it.
Click the Col… button and the Fill… button to fill the shape with colour. Click OK
The same process is used to change line colours except the Col… and Line… button are pressed.
Select tool

12. How do I add text?
Click onto the ‘ABC’ icon and use the cross to position your text.
Enter your text into the dialogue box.
Change the font and size by going into ‘text settings’.
Give the text a colour by selecting solid ‘Fill’ and picking the colour you want.

13. Can I use other images? Edit > Ungroup
You can adapt images from Microsoft Word’s clip art or autoshapes by copying and pasting them into 2D design and using
Edit > Ungroup
If you need to split the parts.