Activity 3 - Speaker Symbol (using "Polar Coordinates")

Getting familiar with AutoCAD.

---

Remember to Turn OFF the Dynamic Input button

• If the button is blue, then click it to turn grey.
  

If you have completed Activity #1 correctly, 
  then choose "Save as..." and save the file as "Activity-3.dwg" 

If you did NOT complete Activity #1 correctly (or you are not sure)   
  then download and open the file "title-block.dwg"  ------------->

Important!

Change the text so it says the correct name, date and

Activity #3
Speaker Symbol

  

---

title-block.dwg
File Size:	54 kb
File Type:	dwg

Download File

---

---

"Polar Coordinates"

With Activity #3, we will be using Polar Coordinates.

Polar Coordinates are your way of saying, "From this starting point, move a specific distance away at a specific angle."

To the right is an example of Absolute, Relative and Polar Coordinates.

Below is a circle to show you what angles AutoCAD uses.  (Memorize!)

To the right is a drawing using the numbers from the examples above.

---

Absolute Coordinates

First, have a point already entered.  (20,15)

Next, type in: 30,40
Means: Make a point at X=30, Y=40.
Connect dots as line.

Line now goes from (20,15) to (30,40)

Relative Coordinates

Again, have a point already entered. (20,15)

Next, type in: @30,40
Means: From the starting point, make a new point over 30 and up 40.
Connect dots as line.

Line now goes from (20,15) to (50,55)

Polar Coordinates

Again, have a point already entered. (20,15)

Next type in:
@30<40
Means: From the starting point, make a new point a distance of 40 and an angle of 30.  
Connect dots as line.

Line now goes from
(20,15) to (42.98, 34.28)

So now you should understand the differences between Absolute, Relative and Polar Coordinates.  
With Polar Coordinates, we only need a distance and an angle!  
(Of course, this assumes that we already know our starting point.  Polar coordinates would be impossible without a starting point!)

---

Draw Speaker Symbol

1. Click the "L" key to start drawing lines
2. Type "30,30" and press Enter (start with Absolute Coordinates)
3. Type "@10<0" and press Enter
4. Type "@10<315" and press Enter
   
5. Type "@20<90" and press Enter
6. Type "@10<225" and press Enter
   
7. Type "@10<180" and press Enter
8. Type "C" and press Enter (to 'close' the lines)

---

Save your work!

• In your folder called "AutoCAD".  
  
  
• Save this drawing as "Activity-3.dwg".
  

---

Credits:  These activities were created by David Haney and/or created/modified by Brian Wilkins before being modified by Graham Rich.  Many thanks to both David and Brian for sharing this work with us!

---

All AutoCAD Activities

Activity	Name	Area of Learning
Activity 1	Title Block	Absolute Coordinates
Activity 2	Arrow	Relative Coordinates
Activity 3	Speaker Symbol	Polar Coordinates
Activity 4	Lines & Circle	Object Snaps
Activity 5a	Trim, Extend, Offset	Use Trim, Extend, Offset
Activity 5b & 5c	Select from 5a	Multi-Select with Mouse
Activity 6	Razor Blade	Mirrors, Snap to Quadrant, Snap to Center
Activity 7	Gear	Polar Array
Activity 8	Olympic Rings	Circles, Trim
Activity 9	Stop Sign	Offset, Polar Coordinates
Activity 10	House #1	Dimensions, Coordinates
Activity 11	Dartboard	Circles, Trim, Text
Activity 12	Canada Flag	Polar Coordinates, Offset, Trim, Extend, Dimensions