An introduction to CAD using TechSoft 2D Design

1. The following tutorial will assist you in becoming familiar with Computer Aided Design (CAD) which is a requirement of the National Curriculum for Design & Technology. To enable you to access this tutorial you must first download a free demo CAD software package called Techsoft 2D Design from the internet at the following link: http://www.techsoftuk.co.uk/ The following screen should appear where you can click on the gold link button at the bottom of the screen to download the demo software.

2. An introduction to CAD using TechSoft 2D Design The following tutorial is used in year 7 to develop skills in CAD so that pupils can also access and use machines to manufacture their final design outcome which is called CAM, which is also a requirement of the National Curriculum. Once you have downloaded the software onto your computer you are now ready to start the following tutorial.

3. Opening ‘Techsoft 2D Design’ • Click on Start or double click on the desktop icon • Go into ‘programs’, • ‘Techsoft Design tools’, • drag the menu across to ‘2D design’ and click to open it. • A blank grid will appear on the screen.

4. Drawing using CAD • In 2D Design the toolbar for drawing is located on the left of the drawing area, to activate a tool click on it using your left mouse button. • Using the rectangle tool bar now draw a border around the page, keep your mouse button pressed whilst drawing.

5. Drawing geometric shapes with dimensions • The first shape we are going to draw is another rectangle but this time we are going to give it a precise size – 100 x 80mm. Grid Lock • Make sure that the Grid Lock tool is activated • Draw the rectangle and watch the REL at bottom centre of your screen this displays the dimensions in mm R E L

6. Applying dimensions lines • Activate the dimensions tool shown by the arrow with your left mouse button • Drag the cursor to the bottom left hand corner of the rectangle, click the left mouse button once and drag to the opposite corner, then click the left mouse button and drag the dimension line into place. Repeat the process for the 80mm side of the rectangle Dimension tool

7. Creating other shapes • Click on the circle tool with the • left mouse button then click the • right mouse button and you will • be able to give the circle a • precise size in this case a radius • of 40mm then click OK • Locate the circle on the screen • and click the left mouse button • twice

8. Dimensioning a circle • Click on the dimension tool • and keep the mouse button • held down this will reveal extra • tools, move along and select the • diameter dimension tool. • Holding the mouse button down • on menus will reveal extra tools next • time try this on your rectangle tool this • will reveal lots of different geometric • shapes • Locate the cursor on the circle • click the mouse button drag the • line and click the mouse button • to reveal the size

9. Drawing practice • Using the toolbars draw the following shapes a hexagon with a side of 50mm; a triangle with a base of 100mm; a pentagon with a base of 60mm and 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

10. Adding colour to the shapes • Using the select tool click on the line of the rectangle, the shape will now be highlighted as shown Select tool • Now click on the Col… button to fill the shape with colour, then click on the Fill… button and then click OK and the shape will fill with colour. The same process is used to change line colours except the Col… and Line… button are pressed

11. Adding text • Click onto the ‘ABC’ icon and use the cross to position your text • Enter your texts into the dialogue box • Change the font and size by going into ‘text settings’ • Give the text a colour by selecting ‘Fill’, which should be set to solid, and ‘Colour’, which should bethe colour you require